Summary
Objective
To determine the existence of laryngeal neuropathy and the influence of gastroesophageal
reflux in patients with episodic laryngospasm.
Study Design
Single -center, observational study with prospective clinical collection.
Study Setting
Prospective analysis of 18 Spanish patients with episodic laryngospasm in a Spanish
Public Center collected by otolaryngologist. The recruitment dates were from January
2019 to December 2019.
Methods
Data collection of 18 patients with episodic laryngospasm. Clinical characteristics,
laryngeal neurophysiological studies and reflux esophageal testing were analyzed.
Results
All patients have a trigger for the laryngospasms, being the most prevalent adopting
the supine position (27.7%). EMG and ENG were pathological in 83.3 and 63.6 % respectively.
Chronic bilateral denervation (increased amplitude and duration of potentials) with
signs of reinnervation in the non-active chronic phase (large polyphasia), was the
most prevalent finding. Evidence of gastroesophageal reflux either by pH meter, Gastroscopy
or both was found in 38.8 % of patients.
Conclusions
Neurophysiological studies have confirmed the existence of laryngeal neuropathy in
the majority of patients with laryngospasm. A substantial percentage of patients (38.8%)
with laryngospasm had objective GERD and improved with PPIs. Laryngeal EMG and ENG
can establish a more accurate diagnostic for episodic laryngospams and may supports
treatment with neuromodulators.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 01, 2022
Accepted:
June 10,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofFootnotes
Level of evidence: OCEBM Levels of Evidence Working Group*. “The Oxford 2011 Level of Evidence”: LEVEL 4
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
