Is reflux noted at diagnostic rigid oesophagoscopy clinically significant?

This study assessed the ability of otolaryngologists to diagnose and grade reflux disease at rigid endoscopy. Twenty-one out of 25 senior otolaryngolo gists who were questioned by means of a telephone survey said that if they find evidence of reflux disease at rigid endoscopy of the oesophagus and la rynx, their practice is to place the patient on a proton pump inhibitor for six weeks without requesting pH and manometry studies, and without referra l to a gastroenterologist. Over a two year period, 21 patients were diagnos ed as having reflux disease at rigid endoscopy. This was based on the findi ng of fluid and erythema in the aerodigestive tract and upper oesophagus. S ubsequent oesophageal pH and manometry was performed. Nine out of 21 patien ts were confirmed as refluxers. This demonstrated an accuracy of less than 50 per cent when using these findings to diagnose gastro-oesophageal reflux at rigid endoscopy.