Transnasal Esophagoscopy

• Published in: Otolaryngologic clinics of North America Vol. 46; no. 1; pp. 41 - 52
• Main Authors: Bush, Carrie M., MD, Postma, Gregory N., MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.02.2013
• Subjects: Ambulatory Care - methods; Biopsy, Needle - methods; Conscious Sedation - methods; Dilatation - methods; Early Detection of Cancer - methods; Esophageal Diseases - diagnosis; Esophageal Diseases - physiopathology; Esophageal Diseases - therapy; Esophageal sphincter; Esophageal Sphincter, Lower - pathology; Esophageal Sphincter, Lower - physiopathology; Esophagoscopes; Esophagoscopy; Esophagoscopy - adverse effects; Esophagoscopy - instrumentation; Esophagoscopy - methods; Esophagus - pathology; Esophagus - physiopathology; Esophagus - surgery; Humans; Intraoperative Complications - prevention & control; Nasal Cavity; Natural Orifice Endoscopic Surgery - methods; Otolaryngology; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases - classification; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases - diagnosis; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases - etiology; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases - physiopathology; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases - therapy; Practice Patterns, Physicians; Surgery; Surgical procedure; Time Factors; Transnasal; Transnasal; Esophageal sphincter; Esophagoscopy; Surgical procedure
• ISSN: 0030-6665; 1557-8259
• DOI: 10.1016/j.otc.2012.08.016

Since the mid 1900s, esophagoscopy has been performed under sedation or general anesthesia. With transnasal esophagoscopy (TNE), there has been a return to awake, in-office esophagoscopy. Technologic advances have allowed the advent of a ultrathin, flexible esophagoscope that is introduced transnasally, allowing esophagoscopy to be performed in unsedated patients. TNE correlates with conventional esophagoscopy (sedated, flexible esophagoscopy) in diagnostic capacity. Over time, as the benefits of TNE have become elucidated, the procedure has gained wider acceptance and continues to have its role in patient care defined.