Is ambulatory 24-h dual-probe pH monitoring useful in suspected ENT manifestations of GERD?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The present study is aimed at assessing the relationship between ear, nose and throat manifestations and proximal reflux in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease by using 24-h dual-probe pH monitoring. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight patients were included: (;) 28 patients with suspected ear, nose and throat manifestations of gastrooesophageal reflux disease: (ii) 18 patients with typical symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease without extraoesophageal manifestations of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease; (iii) 12 healthy volunteers. Ambulatory 24-h dual-probe pH monitoring was performed in all patients. Oesophagogastroscopy was performed in all patients of groups I and II. Ear, nose and throat examination was performed in all patients with ear, nose and throat complaints. RESULTS: At the upper oesophageal sphincter, results of pH monitoring were significantly different between groups I and III (0.009 < P < 0.02) and between groups I and II (0.008 < P < 0.03). When comparing data at the lower oesophageal sphincter, we found a significant difference between groups II and III (0.002 < P < 0.009) and between groups I and III (0.001 < P < 0.002). Endoscopic examination of the oesophagus did not show any significant difference between groups I and II. Laryngoscopy was abnormal in 86% of the patients with ear, nose and throat symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Ambulatory 24-h dual-probe pH monitoring is useful in the assessment of patients with suspected ear, nose and throat manifestations of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, especially in the case of abnormal laryngoscopy.

Primary hypothyroidism associated with secondary adrenocortical insufficiency.

A 50 year old man is described in whom primary hypothyroidism and isolated ACTH deficiency leading to adrenocortical insufficiency occurred simultaneously. Low thyroid hormone levels, elevated serum TSH values and high titers of antithyroid antibodies (ATA) were consistent with primary hypothyroidism. The diagnosis of secondary adrenocortical insufficiency was based on low cortisol and ACTH morning levels, low urinary steroids, a significant increase of cortisol levels after 0.25 mg tetracosactide iv, an absence of ACTH and cortisol release after insulin-induced hypoglycemia and a similar absence of ACTH and 11-deoxycortisol increase after metyrapone administration. After one year treatment and five days withdrawal of cortisol administration, the insulin-induced hypoglycemia still failed to elicit secretory responses of ACTH and cortisol, despite the normalization of thyroid hormone levels. The etiopathogenesis of these two coexisting endocrine deficiencies is discussed.