title: Initial endoscopic description of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate initial endoscopic practices at diagnosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in comparison with current recommendations. We wanted to develop a standard model for the endoscopy report which could be used in routine practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2000 to December 2002, 122 patients were hospitalized for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The initial endoscopic reports were reviewed retrospectively and compared with a model report established on the basis of current recommendations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and nineteen reports were re-examined. The principal reason for performing the endoscopic examination was dysphagia in 73.9% of patients. Tumor measurements (height, upper and lower extremities) were recorded in 51.2%, 79% and 41% of reports, respectively. 14.4% of the analyzed reports concerned endoscopic procedures which were performed after a first endoscopic examination because the initial report provided an imprecise tumor description. Tissue samples taken during the initial endoscopy allowed a pathological diagnosis in 94.2% of patients. Lugol staining was performed in 2.5% of procedures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Insufficiently rigorous reporting compromises the reliability of initial upper digestive endoscopic procedures. Application of a standardized model for routine practice would favor more complete reports, starting with the first procedure.
authors.affiliation: Service de Médecine Interne E, CHU Saint-Eloi, Montpellier.
authors.forename: Victoire
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Granger
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Assenat
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Barbotte
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Blanc
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Blanc
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pouderoux
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ychou
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Senesse
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D011996:Records; D012189:Retrospective Studies