title: One-stop evaluation of globus pharyngeus symptoms with transnasal esophagoscopy and swallowing function test.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the feasibility of a one-stop assessment of patients complaining of globus sensation with transnasal esophagoscopy (TNE) and functional endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, nonrandomized, experimental investigation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary referral centre.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-three consecutive patients complaining of a lump in the throat were evaluated by this combined approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  The safety and feasibility of performing a one-stop TNE plus FEES were explored by subjective measurement of the patients' tolerance and satisfaction and comments from surgeons. The possible therapeutic effects were also assessed 2 months after the procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 63 patients completed the TNE and FEES without any complications. The average duration of the examination was 6.27 ± 2.52 (95% CI 5.63-6.91) minutes. The findings included arytenoid cyst, epiglottic cyst, vocal cord nodules, vocal cord palsy, esophageal reflux, and foveolar gland hyperplasia. Two patients (3.2%) demonstrated some degree of fluid penetration or aspiration. Nine specialists all scored highly on a visual analogue scale on the manipulation, visualization, and satisfaction of the TNE procedure (median  =  8 of 10). Patients also rated a low pain score (median  =  1 of 10) and a high satisfaction score (median  =  9 of 10).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combined technique of TNE and FEES can be used safely as a one-stop examination tool for patients with globus pharyngeus symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Institute of Human Communicative Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, China. mtong@cuhk.edu.hk
authors.forename: Michael C F
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.forename: Han
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Janice S C
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Louisa K Y
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Hing Sang
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Siu Kwan
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Ng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003291:Conversion Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004945:Esophagoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009666:Nose; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D055815:Young Adult