Local neck symptoms before and after thyroidectomy: a possible correlation with reflux laryngopharyngitis.

Abstract

Local symptoms in the neck such as swallowing and voice disorders, and throat discomfort might be related to a goiter if present, but are also reported by patients suffering from reflux laryngopharyngitis. The aim of our study was to investigate the presence of reflux laryngopharyngitis in patients with nodular goiter before and after uncomplicated total thyroidectomy (TT) using a prospective study in University Hospital setting. We considered 25 patients, affected by non-toxic nodular goiter and candidates for TT, who complained of local symptoms in the neck. All the patients were carefully interviewed, with emphasis on swallowing and voice disorders, throat discomfort and reflux-related symptoms and underwent a videolaryngoscopy (VLS) and a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) before and 3 months after TT. Before thyroidectomy, reflux laryngopharyngitis-related alterations were present in 68 and 50% at VLS and VFSS, respectively. After thyroidectomy, the swallowing and voice disorders persisted in 79 and 75%, respectively, while throat discomfort persisted in 91%. The results show that patients with a non-toxic nodular goiter who complain of local neck symptoms, before surgery it is appropriate to see if a reflux laryngopharyngitis is present; VLS and VFSS could be indicated for this and if necessary an antireflux treatment should be administered.

• Authors: Eugenio Fiorentino, Calogero Cipolla, Giuseppa Graceffa, Alessia Cusimano, Francesco Cupido, Giuseppe Lo Re, Domenica Matranga, Mario Adelfio Latteri
• Journal: European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol) Vol. 268 Issue 5 Pg. 715-20 (May 2011) ISSN: 1434-4726 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 20936521 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © Springer-Verlag 2010

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Deglutition Disorders (etiology)
• Female
• Goiter, Nodular (complications, diagnosis, surgery)
• Humans
• Laryngitis (complications)
• Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (complications)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pharyngitis (complications)
• Thyroidectomy (adverse effects)
• Voice Disorders (etiology)
• Young Adult