Monitoring of pH of the esophagus is a routine diagnostic procedure, whereas until now pH-monitoring of the hypopharynx has been used only for scientific research. In the present study a critical evaluation scale was used to record the results of 112 patients who underwent pH monitoring to determine possible reflux. Since high refluxes often remain unnoticed clinically, further study is required in certain cases. The extent of reflux in the esophagus may not represent pathological changes in the hypopharynx. In such cases 24-h pH monitoring of the hypopharynx can be a useful diagnostic procedure and may also help detect the pathogenesis of "gastric laryngitis".

We treated 64 patients with the diagnosis of laryngitis gastrica with Antra (Omeprazol) in doses of 10, 20, and 40 mg. To determine the success of the therapy, pH monitoring of the esophagus and hypopharynx, the voice status and measurement of vocal penetrating capacity were used. The results prove that a 20-mg dose of Antra is suitable for the therapy of laryngitis gastrica with a high rate of success. Problems which arose during the investigation, consequent changes of the original concept of the project as well as new aspects and questions which resulted from this are discussed with respect to further investigation.

The clinical courses of vocal rehabilitation of patients with different degrees of laryngeal paralysis can proceed very differently, but usually do not correspond with the physical changes of glottic function seen on laryngoscopy and stroboscopy. In this study 43 patients with laryngeal paralyses were examined, of whom 28 had regeneration of nerve function. Fifteen did not show any improvement in glottal function. All patients were asked to describe their voices, after which subjective data were compared to objective findings concerning vocal penetrating capacity, voice attack, volume, and capacity. In particular, voice capacity, attack, and vocal penetrating capacity were found to be valid in reflecting therapeutic effects and for estimating voice capability.

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