Transnasal esophagoscopy: revisited (over 700 consecutive cases).
BACKGROUND
High-resolution transnasal esophagoscopy (TNE) allows comprehensive, in-office examination of the esophagus without sedation.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the authors' present experience using TNE with our initial, previously reported experience.


METHODS
Retrospective review of 611 consecutive patients undergoing TNE was compared with 100 consecutive patients previously reported.


RESULTS
The most frequent indications for TNE were screening examination of the esophagus in reflux, globus, or dysphagia patients (n = 490), biopsy of a lesion in the laryngopharynx, trachea, or esophagus (n = 42), screening examination of the esophagus in head and neck cancer patients (n = 45), and evaluation for an esophageal foreign body (n = 12). Seventeen procedures were aborted secondary to a tight nasal vault. Significant findings were found in 50% (294/592). The most frequent findings were esophagitis (n = 98), hiatal hernia (n = 47), and Barrett's esophagus (n = 27). These results are similar to those previously reported.


CONCLUSIONS
TNE is safe, well tolerated by patients, and is easy to learn with a short learning curve. TNE may replace radiographic imaging of the esophagus in otolaryngology patients with reflux, globus, and dysphagia.
Postma
Gregory N
GN
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Center for Voice and Swallowing Disorders of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157-1034, USA. postman@wfubmc.edu
Cohen
Jacob T
JT
Belafsky
Peter C
PC
Halum
Stacey L
SL
Gupta
Sumeer K
SK
Bach
Kevin K
KK
Koufman
Jamie A
JA
D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000175:diagnosis; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D004945:Esophagoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies