Michael C F Tong1, Han Gao, Janice S C Lin, Louisa K Y Ng, Hing Sang Chan, Siu Kwan Ng. 1. 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
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). DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized, experimental investigation. SETTING: Tertiary referral centre. METHODS: Sixty-three consecutive patients complaining of a lump in the throat were evaluated by this combined approach. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 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). CONCLUSION: The combined technique of TNE and FEES can be used safely as a one-stop examination tool for patients with globus pharyngeus symptoms.
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). DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized, experimental investigation. SETTING: Tertiary referral centre. METHODS: Sixty-three consecutive patients complaining of a lump in the throat were evaluated by this combined approach. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 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). CONCLUSION: The combined technique of TNE and FEES can be used safely as a one-stop examination tool for patients with globus pharyngeus symptoms.