The role of transnasal oesophagoscopy in the management of globus pharyngeus and non-progressive dysphagia

• Published in: Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England Vol. 98; no. 1; pp. 49 - 52
• Main Authors: Sanyaolu, L N, Jemah, A, Stew, B, Ingrams, D R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group LTD 01.01.2016; Royal College of Surgeons
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Deglutition Disorders - diagnosis; Deglutition Disorders - physiopathology; Disease Management; Disease Progression; Dysphagia; Endoscopy; Esophagoscopy - methods; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Larynx; Male; Middle Aged; Nose; Otolaryngology; Patients; Reproducibility of Results; Retrospective Studies; Studies; United Kingdom > UK; United States > US; Oesophagoscopy; Retrospective studies; Endoscopy; Deglutition disorders; Follow-up studies
• ISSN: 0035-8843; 1478-7083
• DOI: 10.1308/rcsann.2015.0052

Introduction Transnasal oesophagoscopy is a relatively new method of examining the upper aerodigestive tract via the nasal passage as an outpatient procedure without the need for sedation. It has been shown to be a well tolerated, safe and accurate technique, that can therefore be used in the investigation of patients thought to have globus pharyngeus and other non sinister causes of dysphagia. Methods A total of 150 consecutive patients undergoing transnasal oesophagoscopy were analysed retrospectively. Results The main indications for this procedure were non-progressive dysphagia (n=68, 45%) and globus pharyngeus (n=60, 40%). Transnasal oesophagoscopy was normal in 65% of patients and 42% of patients were discharged from clinic at the same appointment with no further investigation. The most common positive findings were laryngeal erythema (13%) and oesophagitis (10%). Conclusions Transnasal oesophagoscopy is a useful adjunct to the management of patients with the symptoms of globus pharyngeus and non-progressive dysphagia.