Esophageal biopsy for the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux–associated otolaryngologic problems in children

Recently, gastroesophageal reflux (GER) has been found to contribute to many types of otolaryngologic pathology in infants and children. The complaints may be intermittent and unresponsive to usual therapies, such as antimicrobial treatments. A high index of suspicion for GER and for the concept of “silent” GER (GER without overt symptoms) is necessary for accurate diagnosis and treatment of otolaryngologic manifestations of GER in these patients. In this prospective historical cohort study, the records were reviewed from 101 children who underwent esophagoscopy and biopsy as a diagnostic test for GER at the time of other otolaryngologic procedures. Significant associations were found between the presence of histologic esophagitis and asthma, recurrent croup, cough, apnea, sinusitis, stridor, laryngomalacia, subglottic stenosis, posterior glottic erythema, and posterior glottic edema. There were no complications. Esophageal biopsy is a rapid, safe and effective diagnostic test for GER that should be considered at the time of other procedures in children with selected GER-associated problems.