Laryngopharyngeal Reflux ...

A 16-year-old boy was admitted due to a persistent, unproductive cough that had been ongoing for several years. The cough became more intense between March and June. The patient also complained of an itchy throat and a sensation of a lump in his throat. A physical examination did not show any abnormalities. Various tests were conducted to determine the cause of the chronic cough, ruling out allergies, active infection with atypical bacteria, and abnormalities in the chest X-ray. The results of the parasite infections test (Toxocara canis and Ascaris lumbricoides) were normal. Other laboratory tests were also within the normal range, including blood cell count, alpha-1 antitrypsin levels, and antibodies to Helicobacter pylori. Due to suspicion of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), the patient was assessed using the RSI scale, which scored 17 points. The patient underwent a 24-hour laryngopharyngeal pHmetry to further evaluate the condition using the ResTech Dx-pH Measurement System. The results obtained in an upright position showed a Ryan Score of 336.05 (N < 9.41), % of the time below pH 5.5 was 13.01 (N < 0.13), the number of episodes of pH decline below 5.5 was 10 (N < 1.2), and the duration of the longest episode of pH decline below 5.5 was 25.58 minutes (N < 0.71). In a horizontal position, the Ryan Score was 2.92 (N < 6.79), % of the time below pH 5.0 was 0.02 (N < 5.15), the number of episodes of pH decline below 5.0 was 1 (N < 4.0), and the duration of the longest episode of pH decline below 5.0 was 0.15 minutes (N < 18.97). Based on clinical observation and these test results, the patient was diagnosed with LPR.1