Objective: To report and analyze outcomes of transnasal esophagoscopy (TNE).

Materials and Methods: The present study retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent TNE at Sawanpracharak Hospital, a provincial public hospital between September 2022 and August 2023. Data collected included demographics, indications for TNE, biopsy results, timing of the procedure, changes in diagnosis following TNE, and any complications encountered were collected and analyzed.

Results: Forty-eight patients underwent the TNE with a mean age of 59.2±13.18 years. The most frequent indications for TNE were dysphagia at 37.5%, biopsy tumor at 20.8%, head and neck cancer surveillance at 20.8%, complete examination for neck node unknown primary at 8.3%, suspected foreign body in aerodigestive tract at 6.3%, and follow-up treatment at 6.3%. Biopsies were performed in 23 cases, with a rapid urease test conducted in nine cases. Of these tests, 44.4% were positive for Helicobacter pylori. Additionally, pathological examination was performed in 14 cases and revealed squamous cell carcinoma in 35.7% of those examined. Importantly, TNE led to a change in diagnosis in 41% of the studied patients. Notably, minor complications were observed in only 2.1% of the cases.

Conclusion: TNE emerges as a valuable diagnostic tool for the comprehensive assessment of laryngeal, tracheal, and esophageal lesions. This minimally invasive procedure eliminates the need for sedation, expediting the examination process while minimizing complication risks. Moreover, TNE is well-suited for head and neck cancer patients, facilitating both diagnosis and treatment follow-up.

Keywords: Transnasal esophagoscopy; Esophagoscopy; Head and neck cancer; Dysphagia; Helicobacter pylori

DOI: 10.35755/jmedassocthai.2024.4.13970

Received 25 January 2024 | Revised 20 March 2024 | Accepted 22 March 2024