J Korean Soc Laryngol Phoniatr Logoped.  2018 Dec;29(2):67-69. 10.0000/jkslpl.2018.29.2.67.

Trends in Utilization of Transnasal Esophagoscopy

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea. ispark@hallym.or.kr

Abstract

The development of office-based, unsedated transnasal esophagoscopy (TNE) has proven to be a major technological advance and with time and experience the application of this technology is becoming more widespread. TNE has allowed otolaryngologists to perform a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the office setting. Studies consistently demonstrate that the image quality and diagnostic capability of TNE is equivalent to conventional esophagoscopy. The modern TNE endoscopes offer high quality optics, air-insufflation, and irrigation capability through a 2-mm working channel, and the ability to perform biopsies and select procedures. In general, the role of TNE in the head and neck patient is three-fold : to screen for synchronous and metachronous esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) ; to differentiate post-treatment changes/symptoms from malignancy ; and to perform certain office-based procedures. TNE offers many specific advantages to the head and neck patient that are not afforded by conventional esophagoscopy. Because of surgical and postirradiation changes, many HNSCC patients have trismus or neck stiffness preventing completion of conventional transoral esophagoscopy. Perhaps most importantly, TNE provides enhanced patient safety, increased tolerability, better practice efficiency, and cost savings. For these reasons, TNE has become a particularly useful tool in the otolaryngologist's armamentarium.

Keyword

Transnasal; Esophagoscopy; Head and neck cancer

MeSH Terms

Biopsy
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
Cost Savings
Endoscopes
Esophagoscopy*
Head
Head and Neck Neoplasms
Humans
Neck
Patient Safety
Trismus
Full Text Links
  • JKSLPL
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr