1. Argon Plasma Coagulation of Cervical Heterotopic Gastric Mucosa as an Alternative Treatment for Globus Sensations
- Author
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Monther Bajbouj, Alexander Meining, Florian Eckel, Stephan Miehlke, Valentin Becker, Roland M. Schmid, Oliver Pech, and Christian Prinz
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Hepatology ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,medicine.drug_class ,business.industry ,Gastroenterology ,Proton-pump inhibitor ,Argon plasma coagulation ,Globus Hystericus ,Crossover study ,law.invention ,Endoscopy ,Randomized controlled trial ,law ,Multicenter trial ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Prospective cohort study ,business - Abstract
Background & Aims Ablation of gastric inlet patches (GIP) in the cervical esophagus by argon plasma coagulation (APC) can alleviate chronic globus sensations in the throat. We investigated the efficacy of this therapy in a randomized, controlled multicenter trial. Methods Patients with chronic globus sensations and GIP were randomly assigned 1:1 to groups that were treated with APC or a sham procedure (controls). Patients and their referring physicians were blinded to therapy. All patients completed a standardized questionnaire about symptoms before and 3 months after the procedure. Thereafter, control patients were eligible for cross-over therapy. Long-term efficacy was assessed in all patients ≥6 months after APC. Results Improvement of symptoms was reported in 9 (82%) of 11 patients who received APC, compared with 0 (0%) of 10 patients in the control group ( P = .002). Nine (90%) of 10 patients treated with APC had per protocol healing, compared with 0 (0%) of 9 controls ( P Conclusions Ablation of gastric inlet patches appears to be an effective therapy for alleviation of associated globus sensations. This new treatment modality might change the paradigm for treatment of these patients.
- Published
- 2009