Date of Award
2023
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (College of Medicine)
Schools and Centres
Medicine
First Supervisor
A/Prof Gregory Falk
Second Supervisor
Prof Hans Van Der Wall
Abstract
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a disease process in which gastric acid from the stomach refluxes upwards into the lower oesophagus and causes typical symptoms such as heartburn. In contrast, laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPR) is a reflux disease where stomach contents reflux upward to the upper oesophagus, pharynx, larynx, and lungs. LPR instead causes more nebulous and atypical symptoms such as voice change, chronic cough, and laryngitis. Furthermore, prolonged acid contact can cause cellular changes that increase risk of oesophageal malignancy.
GORD is a prevalent disease, and there are various investigative modalities to assess, diagnose, and quantify its impacts. On the other hand, LPR is poorly investigated. There is currently no gold standard test that definitively diagnoses and assesses LPR. This thesis explores novel investigative tests that assess LPR such as reflux scintigraphy and pH-impedance monitoring. In addition, results in LPR patients are compared to those obtained in patients with known GORD. Finally, oesophageal malignancy and the search for the optimal multimodal treatment is explored.
Publication Details
Park, J. (2023). Novel Investigations for Reflux Disease and their Complications in the Oesophagus [Doctor of Philosophy (College of Medicine)]. The University of Notre Dame Australia. https://researchonline.nd.edu.au/theses/484