Hypopharyngeal-Esophageal Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance-pH
monitoring.
The HEMII-pH was composed of 8 impedance segments and 2 pH electrodes.
Device details were available in previous
publication.4 Six impedance segments were placed along
the esophagus zones (Z1 to Z6). The pharyngeal impedance segments were
placed 1 and 2 cm above the cricopharyngeal sphincter. The pH electrodes
were placed 2 cm above LES and 1-2 cm below cricopharyngeal sphincter,
respectively. HRE was defined as an episode reaching two hypopharyngeal
impedance sensors. The LPR diagnosis was based on the occurrence of ≥1
acid or nonacid HRE.10 Acid reflux episode was defined
as an episode with pH≤4.0. Nonacid reflux episode consisted of an
episode with pH>4.0. Two senior physicians (FB and VM)
analyzed the HEMII-pH tracing to isolate the HRE. Patients were invited
to keep their daily life habits and diet the day of the testing.