BACKGROUND: This study evaluates the efficacy of unsedated transnasal esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) in the diagnosis of hypopharyngeal cancer and screening of esophageal lesions. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with newly diagnosed hypopharyngeal cancer were evaluated by transnasal EGD without conscious sedation. RESULTS: Twenty-two hypopharyngeal cancers arose from the pyriform sinus, and the other 5 tumors were from the posterior hypopharyngeal wall. Seventeen tumors were classified as T3-T4. Twenty-four hypopharyngeal tumors were pathologically proved malignancy by this technique. Regarding simultaneous esophageal lesions, esophageal dysplasia was noted in 4 patients and esophageal cancer occurred in 6 patients. The procedures were performed without difficulty except in 1 patient with huge posterior wall tumor. The mean procedure time was 22 minutes. All patients tolerated the procedure well, without significant bleeding or respiratory distress during examination. CONCLUSION: Unsedated transnasal EGD is a safe, tolerable, and accurate endoscopic technique for diagnosis of hypopharyngeal cancer and screening of simultaneous esophageal cancer.
BACKGROUND: This study evaluates the efficacy of unsedated transnasal esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) in the diagnosis of hypopharyngeal cancer and screening of esophageal lesions. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with newly diagnosed hypopharyngeal cancer were evaluated by transnasal EGD without conscious sedation. RESULTS: Twenty-two hypopharyngeal cancers arose from the pyriform sinus, and the other 5 tumors were from the posterior hypopharyngeal wall. Seventeen tumors were classified as T3-T4. Twenty-four hypopharyngeal tumors were pathologically proved malignancy by this technique. Regarding simultaneous esophageal lesions, esophageal dysplasia was noted in 4 patients and esophageal cancer occurred in 6 patients. The procedures were performed without difficulty except in 1 patient with huge posterior wall tumor. The mean procedure time was 22 minutes. All patients tolerated the procedure well, without significant bleeding or respiratory distress during examination. CONCLUSION: Unsedated transnasal EGD is a safe, tolerable, and accurate endoscopic technique for diagnosis of hypopharyngeal cancer and screening of simultaneous esophageal cancer.