Transnasal oesophagoscopy: diagnostic and management outcomes in a prospective cohort of 257 consecutive cases and practice implications

• Published in: Clinical otolaryngology Vol. 39; no. 2; pp. 108 - 113
• Main Authors: Abou-Nader, L., Wilson, J.A., Paleri, V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.04.2014; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Barrett Esophagus - diagnosis; Disease Management; Esophagoscopy - methods; Esophagus - pathology; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nose; Otolaryngology - methods; Pharynx - pathology; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Prospective Studies; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1749-4478; 1749-4486
• DOI: 10.1111/coa.12241

Objectives To determine the success rate, patient tolerability and impact of introducing transnasal oesophagoscopy on clinical practices. Design Prospective cohort with review of electronic patient records for outcomes. Setting UK tertiary centre Otolaryngology Department. Participants The cohort comprised of two hundred and fifty‐seven patients, 128 females (50%) and 129 males (50%) with an age range of 20–91 years; mean age 59 years (sd 13.6). Main outcome measures Success rates, indications, findings and outcomes of patients undergoing transnasal oesophagoscopy and impact on rigid examinations of the pharynx and oesophagus were also considered. Results Transnasal oesophagoscopy has a high success rate of 97%; it is well tolerated by patients, and poor views are uncommon. Pathology was detected in 44% of patients. The most common indications for transnasal oesophagoscopy were unexplained throat symptoms (50%) and dysphagia (25%). Common positive findings were hiatus hernia (7%), Barrett's oesophagus (5%), dysmotility (5%) and oesophageal candidiasis (5%). Following transnasal oesophagoscopy, 59% of patients were discharged to their referring clinician, 17% continued to undergo otolaryngology follow‐up, and 13% were referred to our gastrointestinal colleagues. Following the introduction of transnasal oesophagoscopy, there was a reduction in the number of rigid examinations of the pharynx and oesophagus in the subsequent years, despite an increase in total referrals. Conclusions Transnasal oesophagoscopy is a well‐tolerated procedure that allows otolaryngologists to make management decisions on common referrals swiftly in the clinic setting avoiding unnecessary investigations, follow‐up and referral.