Abstract
Program Description:
Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is commonly diagnosed in patients seen by otolaryngologists. Prescribing of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) increased 5-fold from 1990 to 2001 and accounts for 10% of costs in evaluation and management of patients with voice disorders. In response, 46.5% of general otolaryngologists feel they are overdiagnosing LPR. Considering this, what diagnoses are otolaryngologists missing due to the reflexive diagnosis of LPR? The goal of this program is to present a clear clinical approach to the diagnosis and treatment of patients complaining of LPR-like symptoms and suggest alternative diagnoses and treatments as well as an approach to patients unresponsive to PPI therapy.
Educational Objectives:
(1) Diagnose efficiently and effectively treat a patient who has LPR-like symptoms but is unresponsive to PPI management. (2) Describe the unified airway concept and how it alters the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to patients with LPR-like symptoms. (3) Implement treatment for postviral vagal neuropathy and irritable larynx syndrome.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.