Pattern of ambulatory pharyngo-oesophageal motility and pH-metry in healthy volunteers

Oesophago-pharyngeal reflux is widely accepted as an aetiological factor in many laryngeal and lower respiratory tract diseases. This study aims to es tablish normal reference ranges for pharyngo-oesophageal pH and pressure. T wenty-five asymptomatic healthy volunteers underwent ambulatory pharyngo-oe sophageal pressure and pH-metry. Acid exposure times were very low. Only on e subject showed any evidence of oesophago-pharyngeal reflux during recumbe ncy. Two distinct upper oesophageal sphincter pressure patterns were observ ed during recumbency-one with episodic dry swallows and moderate tonic pres sures, the other with almost complete manometric quiescence. Negative resul ts, i.e. the exclusion of abnormal cervical reflux, appear to be more achie vable than quantifiable positive results, but this is not absolutely clear from our results. Categorisation of an individual as having abnormal upper pH-metry requires use of a synchronous pharyngeal probe, pH-metry is likely to be of value in establishing the role of reflux in relation to laryngeal or respiratory disease.