Observation of the Pharynx to the Cervical Esophagus Using Transnasal Endoscopy with Blue Laser Imaging

Background In 2014, the new transnasal endoscopy with Blue laser Imaging (BLI) has been developed. Aim We present the usefulness of the observation of from the pharynx to the cervical esophagus using transnasal endoscopy with BLI. Patients and Methods This study was conducted between June 2014 and October 2014. During this period, 70 consecutive patients (60 men, 10 women; mean age 67.9 years old) with esophageal or head and neck cancer underwent endoscopic screening at the oropharynx and hypopharynx by transnasal endoscopy with BLI system We performed this endoscopic observation from oral cavity to pharynx before inserting into the cervical esophagus.The visibility of subsites of the hypopharynx and the orifice of the esophagus was evaluated. The extent of the view of hypopharyngeal opening was classified into 3 categories (excellent, good, poor). Then, the diagnostic accuracy of transnasal endoscopy with BLI system was estimated. Our screening is as follows. First, the patient is asked to bow their head deeply in the left lateral position. We put a hand on the back of the patient’s head and push it forward. The patient is then asked to lift the chin as far as possible. In order to inspect the oral cavity, we insert an endoscope without a mouthpiece. After observation of the oral cavity, the endoscope was inserted through the nose. When the tip of the endoscope reached caudal to the uvula, the patient opened his mouth wide, stuck his tongue forward as much as possible and made a vocal sound like “ayyy”. The endoscopist caused the endoscope to U-turn and observed the oropharynx, in particular the radix linguae (Intra-oropharyngeal U-turn method). For examination of the hypopharynx and the orifice of the esophagus, the patient is asked to blow hard and puff their cheeks while the mouth remains closed (Trumpet maneuver). Results 8 elderly cases were excluded because they could not perform the adequate ballooning. Finally, 62 cases were investigated. The ballooning the pyriform sinus and posterior wall not only allows accurate assessment of the stretched pharyngeal mucosa but also gives a view of postcricoid subsite and the orifice of the esophagus. The wide endoscopic view of the pharynx was obtained in a series of the procedures (excellent=53/62, 85.4%; good=7/52, 4.5%; and poor=2/62, 7.6%). Among 70 patients, 6 superficial lesions (8.6%) at the oropharynx(n=1) and hypopharynx (n=5) were discovered with BLI system. Mucosal redness, a pale thickened mucosa, white deposits or loss of a normal vascular pattern, well demarcated areas covered with scattered dots are important characteristics to diagnose superficial carcinoma. Conclusion The more progress achieved in transnasal endoscopy rapidly in the last few years, it can improve for observing the blind area using trans-oral endoscopy, therefore the trans-nasal endoscope will be a standard tool for the screening of the upper gastrointestinal tract in the near future

Asymptomatic marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue in the hypopharynx, detected with esophagogastroduodenoscopy

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is a type of lymphoma that commonly originates in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and in rare instances may also occur in the head and neck region. In this report, we present a case of early stage, primary asymptomatic MALT lymphoma of the hypopharynx as detected by esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). A 73-year-old man underwent EGD for an examination of the upper GI tract. At the left pyriform sinus, a swollen irregular mucosa was detected. Biopsy specimens confirmed histologically prominent proliferation of lymphocytes in the epithelium. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the neoplastic lymphocytes were positive for CD20 and negative for CD3. Based on the other imaging studies, we diagnosed the lesion as a localized MALT lymphoma of the hypopharynx at Stage IA. In total, 46 Gy of radiotherapy was administered to the lesion. In the subsequent 5 years after the treatment, there have been no signs of recurrence

Use of the ¹³C breath test to assess late dumping after esophagectomy and subsequent gastric tube reconstruction for esophageal cancer

Background and Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of the ¹³C breath test in postoperative patients who underwent gastric tube reconstruction following esophagectomy. Methods: Postoperative patients (POs; n=26) and healthy volunteers (HVs; n=10) were included as subjects. Of the 26 POs, the 7 with late dumping symptoms were regarded as the dumping group (DG), and the remaining were considered the non-dumping group (NDG). Semisolid test meal mixed with 100 mg of ¹³C-sodium acetate was given to each subject. Breath samples for the ¹³C gas analysis and blood samples were collected. Results: The Cmax was 37 ± 13(‰) in the HVs and 49 ± 11(‰) in POs, being significantly higher in POs (p=0.019). The Cmax was 56 ± 14(‰) for DG and 47 ± 8.9(‰) for NDG, indicating that the Cmax in the DG tended to be higher than that in the NDG, although not to a significant degree (p=0.12). The change in the C value and each glucose metabolism-related marker showed a general correlation. Conclusion: The present results suggest that the ¹³C-acetate breath test reflects changes in glucose homeostasis after esophagectomy, making it useful for objectively and simply assessing late dumping symptoms in postoperative esophageal cancer patients

Incidence of features observed in each type of vascular relationship.

<p>Incidence of features observed in each type of vascular relationship.</p