A New Nasopharyngeal pH Probe for Diagnosis of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) has been repeatedly linked to upper respiratory symptoms in the pediatric population. Children with LPR may present with laryngomalacia, subglottic stenosis, laryngitis, and vocal cord nodules among other illnesses. Pharyngeal reflux has even been implicated in causing common childhood illnesses such as sinusitis and otitis media. Diagnosing LPR can be difficult, especially in children. Often otolaryngologists depend on a general gestalt to diagnosis LPR. In some cases, physicians rely on a Reflux Symptoms Index (RSI) questionnaire filled out by the caretaker and/or a Reflux Finding Score (RFS) filled out by the practitioner. Others have attempted to use a variety of tools to measure pH in the upper airway and proximal esophagus.

Initial research focused on correlating gastroesophageal reflux (GER) with otolaryngologic illnesses. These studies relied mostly on esophageal pH probes placed at the lower esophageal sphincter. With the realization that extraesophageal reflux or LPR was a separate disease, new methods have developed to quantify it. The dual esophageal pH probe is the current gold standard for measuring LPR as it records pH just above the proximal esophageal sphincter. Conditions such as chronic pediatric sinusitis, otitis media, laryngitis and globus are believed to arise from laryngopharyngeal reflux. Unfortunately, this device fails to identify many patients with LPR who would benefit from treatment, and radiographic studies are limited by their short duration of evaluation and risk of radiation. In addition, the placement of the esophageal pH probe is relatively invasive requiring both sedation and x-rays to confirm placement. Finally, they are difficult to place and maintain in children, necessitating a hospital stay for 24 hours while data is collected. The alternative is empiric treatment with Histamine 2 blockers and/or Protein Pump Inhibitors for an extended course, which has been shown to improve symptoms in many of these patients but is not without risk.

The new Dx-pH nasopharyngeal probe is the only tool available for directly measuring nasopharyngeal pH. It is an exempted class I medical device and is Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for general use in the population. The device, manufactured by Respiratory Technology Corporation ISO (ResTech), measures the pH of both liquid and aerosolized droplets. It is positioned posterior to the soft palate and placement is confirmed by visualizing the light-emitting diode (LED) at the tip of the device. It is significantly less invasive than esophageal pH probes, does not require general anesthesia for placement, and can be used in an outpatient setting.

The Dx-pH probe is currently being used clinically in adult and pediatric practices to diagnose and monitor laryngopharyngeal reflux with only limited research supporting its use. A literature review finds only 6 studies that address the Dx-pH probe, of which, only 1 pilot study has been performed in children. This study looked at changes in pH in the trachea of 3 children with chronic tracheostomies. However, to date, no research has been published on the utility of the probe in diagnosing LPR in children. The probe, if effective, would be a valuable tool for diagnosing LPR in the pediatric population because of its limited risk and potential ability to replace more invasive and costly procedures.