Detecting nasopharyngeal reflux: a novel pH probe technique

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Gastroenterology
• Respiratory Medicine

Background:

• Nasopharyngeal pH monitoring is crucial for understanding upper airway conditions.
• Previous studies lacked methods for measuring pH in the aerosolized nasopharyngeal environment.
• A novel pH probe enables accurate, real-time acidity measurements in non-liquid environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine normal nasopharyngeal pH values in healthy subjects.
• To evaluate the utility of a novel pH probe for nasopharyngeal measurements.
• To identify the prevalence of reflux events in a healthy cohort.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study enrolled 20 healthy volunteers.
• A novel Dx-pH Measurement System Probe was placed near the torus tubarius.
• 24-hour pH monitoring was conducted, with specific criteria for reflux events.

Main Results:

• The normal nasopharyngeal pH range was 6.10–7.92, with an average of 7.03.
• 40% of subjects (8 out of 20) experienced at least one reflux event.
• Reflux events were defined as pH < 5.5 (upright) or pH < 5.0 (supine).

Conclusions:

• A novel self-condensing pH probe successfully enabled 24-hour nasopharyngeal pH monitoring.
• The average nasopharyngeal pH in healthy individuals without symptomatic reflux is approximately 7.03.
• A significant proportion of healthy individuals experience nasopharyngeal reflux events, suggesting subclinical reflux.