Comparative study of flexible nasoendoscopic and rigid endoscopic examination for patients with upper aerodigestive tract symptoms.
BACKGROUND
The objective of the current study was to compare the outcomes of rigid endoscopic procedures with those of pre-operative flexible nasoendoscopy.


METHODS
A total of 253 patients who had undergone rigid endoscopic examination under anaesthesia between 6 January 2010 and 31 August 2011 were identified. Their clinical, surgical and histological records were evaluated.


RESULTS
A total of 213 patients had a flexible nasoendoscopic procedure performed and recorded pre-operatively, and 82 in this cohort had a specific lesion or area of concern identified. There were 21 confirmed malignant biopsy results, the majority of which were squamous cell carcinoma. No patient with a negative pre-operative endoscopy had a malignant lesion discovered on endoscopic biopsy. The sensitivity and specificity of pre-operative nasoendoscopy were 100 per cent and 66.3 per cent, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Diagnostic rigid endoscopic examination of the upper aerodigestive tract remains an important tool for excluding malignancy in high-risk patients, but is an unnecessary procedure in those low-risk patients with normal pre-operative findings.
Department of Otolaryngology, William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, UK.
J C
JC
Fleming
Y
Y
Al-Radhi
A
A
Kurian
D B
DB
Mitchell
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult