[Gastric vs. supragastric belching, singultus, aerophagia, and differential diagnoses : An interdisciplinary perspective for otorhinolaryngologists]. / Gastrisches versus supragastrisches "belching", Singultus, Aerophagie und Differenzialdiagnosen : Eine interdisziplinäre Übersicht für den HNO-Arzt.

Belching is the act of expelling air from the stomach or esophagus into the pharynx. Although the process is regarded as physiological, excessive belching might be associated with a significant burden for affected patients in the sense of a belching disorder. Diagnosis of a belching disorder is often challenging, and its differentiation from other conditions such as rumination syndrome, singultus, or aerophagia can be difficult. Treatment of these disorders also represents a challenge for otorhinolaryngologists. Hence, the aim of this review is to provide an interdisciplinary overview of these clinical syndromes and provide practical guidance for their diagnosis and treatment.

[Help, I can't burp! A brief overview and case discussion of retrograde cricopharyngeal dysfunction]. / Hilfe, ich kann nicht rülpsen: Falldarstellung und Kurzübersicht zur retrograden krikopharyngealen Dysfunktion.

In this short communication, we discuss the recently described syndrome of retrograde cricopharyngeal dysfunction (R-CPD) with its first description in 2019 by the laryngologist Dr. Bastian. Diagnosis is generally based on typical clinical symptoms, e.g., the inability to belch, a bloated abdomen and retrosternal gurgling noises. We also describe high-resolution esophageal manometry as a new tool to further secure the diagnosis of R­CPD, as well as therapeutic options such as botulinum toxin injections in the cricopharyngeal muscle or cricopharyngeal myotomy and the published data thereon.

Case report and review of the literature: rare fetus-in-fetu presenting as oropharyngeal epignathus.

An epignathus is caused by a continuous spectrum of masses of the oral cavity or oropharynx ranging in its entity from mature teratoma to the exceedingly rare fetus-in-fetu. Due to its location, regardless of the entity, the occurrence of an epignathus is frequently associated with life threatening airway obstruction. Here we demonstrate a case of a fetus-in-fetu presenting as an epignatus. We describe its successful management and review the available literature. Early diagnosis and knowledge of the preoperative workup are essential to enable a multidisciplinary management. Once the airway is secured, surgical excision is the treatment of choice often resulting in a good clinical outcome and prognosis.

[Current possibilities and challenges in the treatment of laryngopharyngeal reflux]. / Aktuelle Möglichkeiten und Herausforderungen bei der Therapie des laryngopharyngealen Refluxes.

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is characterized by backflow of gastric or gastroduodenal content and gases into the upper aerodigestive tract, which can damage the mucus membranes of the larynx and pharynx. It is associated with a variety of symptoms such as retrosternal burning and acid regurgitation, or other unspecific symptoms such as hoarseness, globus sensation, chronic cough, or mucus hypersecretion. Due to the lack of data and the heterogeneity of studies, diagnosis of LPR is problematic and challenging, as recently discussed. Moreover, the different therapeutic approaches are also discussed controversially in the face of the poor evidence base, and include pharmacologic and conservative dietary measures. Hence, in the following review, the available options for treatment of LPR are critically discussed and summarized for daily clinical use.

[Transcultural German translation of the reflux symptom score-12 questionnaire]. / Transkulturelle deutschsprachige Übersetzung des Fragebogens Reflux Symptom Score-12.

In addition to clinical and instrumental methods as well as medical history, questionnaires are well-established tools in the diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Recently, the reflux symptom score (RSS) as well as the short version of it, the RSS-12, which are self-administered patient-reported outcome questionnaires, have been published as an alternative to the well-established reflux symptom index (RSI). The RSS-12 assesses severity and frequency of LPR symptoms as well as the impact on quality of life and has been shown to have high reliability and validity. However, so far, only French, English, and Portuguese versions of the RSS-12 have been published. Hence, the aim of this study was to prepare a transcultural German translation of the RSS-12 (G-RSS-12) to provide a new clinical and scientific tool for the diagnosis of LPR in German-speaking regions.

Short-term outcome after singular hydraulic EsoFLIP dilation in patients with achalasia: A feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Achalasia is a chronic esophageal motility disorder characterized by impaired relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, determined by an elevated integrated relaxation pressure (IRP > 15 mm Hg) and absent peristalsis. Goal of treatment is facilitation of flow across the EGJ but minimizing postinterventional reflux. A new advanced hydraulic dilation technology, the esophageal functional luminal imaging probe (EsoFLIP), allows dynamic monitoring of hollow organ dimensions while performing hydraulic dilation. The aim of our study was to evaluate the treatment response after single EsoFLIP dilation in achalasia patients. METHODS: Dilation was performed under endoscopic control with the EsoFLIP device using a self-developed dilation algorithm. Symptom scores were assessed by the Eckardt score (ES) before and 1-4 weeks after intervention. Esophageal emptying before and after intervention was recorded with timed barium esophagogram. KEY RESULTS: We studied 28 consecutive untreated achalasia patients (8 female) with a median age of 43 years (range 19-82 years) undergoing their first dilation performed with the EsoFLIP, aiming at a maximum dilation diameter of 25 mm. Total ES was significantly reduced from 7 at baseline to 2 postintervention (P < .001). The median height of the barium column after 5 minutes was significantly reduced from 4.5 cm at baseline to 1.7 cm (P = .0087). No major complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: We found good efficacy in both subjective and objective short-term treatment outcome after singular EsoFLIP dilation in treatment-naive achalasia patients. Our findings suggest that EsoFLIP is a promising dilation technology that should be further studied in a larger, controlled setting with longer follow-up.

Endoscope presence during endoluminal functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP) influences FLIP metrics in the evaluation of esophageal dysmotility.

BACKGROUND: The functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP) system is an FDA-approved tool for dynamic evaluation of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ). Even though commercially available since 2009, FLIP utilization remains low, partly due to lack of consensus in methodology and interpretation. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the influence of concurrent endoscopy on FLIP measurements. METHODS: In this single-center study, we reviewed data from 93 patients undergoing FLIP for symptomatic esophageal motility disorders between 2016 and 2018. During sedated endoscopy, we measured luminal values (distensibility, cross-sectional area (CSA), and balloon pressure) at the EGJ and distal esophagus using 30, 40, and 50 mL distension volumes, with and without concurrent endoscope presence. All recorded values were compared at the various distension volumes between the two measurements using a Wilcoxon rank sum test. KEY RESULTS: There was a significant difference in distensibility and CSA with index distension volume (40 mL) at the EGJ comparing the two measurements: Lower median distensibility was 2.1 mm2  mm Hg-1 in the group with concurrent inserted endoscope, respectively, 3.4 mm2  mm Hg-1 without endoscope (P < .001), and median CSA was 86.0 resp. 110.0 mm2 (P < .001). No significant difference could be found in the measurements of the distal esophagus. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Our results show a significant difference in FLIP measurements with and without endoscope presence. This underlines the importance of establishing a consensus of a standardized FLIP protocol to define normal luminal values and guiding future FLIP diagnostic studies.

Opioid Treatment and Excessive Alcohol Consumption Are Associated With Esophagogastric Junction Disorders.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The influence of external factors such as opioids and alcohol has been extensively investigated for various segments of the gastrointestinal tract. However, the association between their use and the development of esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction disorders (EGJOODs) is unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyze prevalence and clinical relevance of opioids and alcohol intake in patients with EGJOODs. METHODS: In this single-center, retrospective study, we reviewed clinical and pharmacological data of 375 consecutive patients who had undergone high resolution impedance manometry for EGJOODs. EGJOODs were classified according to the Chicago classification version 3.0 and to recently published normal values for test meals. Demographics, manometric data, and symptoms were compared between different groups using Pearson's chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test, and multivariate analysis. A P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: EGJOOD was found in 30.7% (115/375) of all analyzed patients. The prevalence of opioids (14.8% vs 4.2%, P = 0.026) was significantly higher in patients with EGJOODs compared to patients without EGJOODs. Additionally, excessive alcohol consumption (12.2% vs 3.5%, P = 0.011) was associated with EGJOODs. Excessive alcohol consumption was especially frequent in the non-achalasia esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction subgroup (16.2%) and opioid use in the achalasia type III subgroup (20.0%). CONCLUSIONS: We found a significant association between EGJOODs and opioid as well as excessive alcohol consumption. This underlines the importance of detailed history taking regarding medication and ethanol consumption in patients with dysphagia. Further prospective studies on mechanisms undelaying esophagogastric junction dysfunction due to opioids or alcohol are warranted.

Differentiation of functional gastrointestinal disorders from healthy volunteers by lactulose hydrogen breath test and test meal.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a common disorder of gut-brain interaction with incompletely understood pathophysiology. Consequently, heterogeneous expert opinions on diagnostic tests and assessment of treatment efficacies exist. So far, no consensus about the most relevant diagnostic and outcome tool has been reached. In this study, we aimed to analyze the significance of a combined lactulose hydrogen breath test (LHBT) and liquid meal, yet representing a standardized test in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), in FD. METHODS: We analyzed data of 146 FD, 204 IBS patients, and 50 healthy volunteers (HV). All patients underwent LHBT with a meal-drink consisting of 30-g Lactulose and 400-mL Ensure®. Effect of abdominal symptom generation in FD/IBS compared with HV was assessed on a patient-reported Likert-scale. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between FD/IBS patients and HV in LHBT-induced abdominal pain (odds ratio [OR] 246.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 26.6-2290.7; OR 161.2, 95% CI 16.9-1534.8), abdominal bloating (OR 384.8, 95% CI 92.9-2135.4; OR 524.1, 95% CI 114.7-3432.3), borborygmi (OR 9.9, 95% CI 2.2-46.9; OR 17.7, 95% CI 4.7-67.4), nausea only in FD (OR 174.4, 95% CI 15.5-5375.5), and diarrhea in IBS only (OR 25.8, 95% CI 2.0-7012.6). Hydrogen production was not significantly different in FD/IBS and HV. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we demonstrated significant differences in postprandial symptom generation in FD and IBS compared with HV after LHBT. This does not only allow us to discriminate FD/IBS from HV but may also represent a diagnostic and monitoring tool for FD/IBS in the future, including monitoring of treatment effects.

Acute COPD exacerbation presenting with pronounced intrabullous haemorrhage and haemoptysis.

A 54-year-old man with history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presented with subacute onset of chest pain, shortness of breath, productive cough with haemoptysis and night sweats. There were no fever or recent weight loss reported. The chest radiograph showed right upper lobe bullae with adjacent opacification and an emphysematous lung. Due to worsening haemoptysis and persistent chest pain, CT of the chest with contrast was performed, which revealed moderate to severe emphysema and numerous blood-filled bullae. Cardiac work-up for chest pain was negative for myocardial ischaemia and for aortic dissection. Further infectious work-ups for mycobacterial and invasive fungal infection were negative. The patient was treated for acute COPD exacerbation and responded well to the antibiotics with the resolution of haemoptysis. Follow-up CT of the chest revealed the gradual resolution of the haemorrhage, while the patient remained asymptomatic.

Recurrent episodes of esophageal candidiasis without dysphagia post-Guillain-Barré syndrome: an unusual presentation of achalasia.

Here, we present a case of a 50-year-old male with a history of a Guillain-Barré-syndrome, who was referred to our clinic with recurrent esophageal candidiasis and long-standing intermittent retrosternal cramps for further evaluation. Other symptoms such as dysphagia, regurgitations and weight loss were denied, and prior repeated endoscopy was otherwise unremarkable. Using high resolution impedance manometry, we could demonstrate a panesophageal pressure increase on water swallows and complete aperistalsis of the tubular esophagus, indicating achalasia type II. However, due to the patient's extraordinary body height and resulting length of the esophagus, endoluminal functional lumen imaging probe analysis supplementary to high resolution impedance manometry needed to be used to assess distensibility of the esophagogastral junction and to secure the diagnosis of achalasia before appropriately treating the patient with pneumatic dilation.

Claudin expression in the rat endolymphatic duct and sac - first insights into regulation of the paracellular barrier by vasopressin.

Hearing and balance functions of the inner ear rely on the homeostasis of the endolymphatic fluid. When disturbed, pathologic endolymphatic hydrops evolves as observed in Menière's disease. The molecular basis of inner ear fluid regulation across the endolymphatic epithelium is largely unknown. In this study we identified the specific expression of the tight junction (TJ) molecules Claudin 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 16 in epithelial preparations of the rat inner ear endolymphatic duct (ED) and endolymphatic sac (ES) by high-throughput qPCR and immunofluorescence confocal microscopy. Further we showed that Claudin 4 in the ES is a target of arginine-vasopressin (AVP), a hormone elevated in Menière's disease. Moreover, our transmission-electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed that the TJs of the ED were shallow and shorter compared to the TJ of the ES indicating facilitation of a paracellular fluid transport across the ED epithelium. The significant differences in the subcellular localization of the barrier-forming protein Claudin 3 between the ED and ES epithelium further support the TEM observations. Our results indicate a high relevance of Claudin 3 and Claudin 4 as important paracellular barrier molecules in the ED and ES epithelium with potential involvement in the pathophysiology of Menière's disease.