Otolaryngologic manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the abnormal retrograde flow of gastric contents into the esophagus. While disorders of the esophagus related to GERD are fairly well characterized, supraesophageal symptoms may be nonspecific and easily missed. Fewer than half of the patients with otolaryngologic complications of reflux exhibit the classic findings of heartburn and regurgitation. GERD has been implicated in a broad range of disorders including laryngitis, chronic hoarseness, globus pharyngeus, laryngeal carcinoma, cricopharyngeal hypertension, Zenker's diverticulum, and chronic cough. A high index of suspicion is essential for timely diagnosis and treatment of the otolaryngologic manifestations of GERD.