Esophagoscopy refers to the endoscopy of the esophagus using an endoscope. This is a thin, flexible, tube-shaped instrument with an integrated light source.
Esophagoscopy is used for early detection of pathological changes in the esophagus and is recommended for various indications.
Indications (areas of application)
- Anemia (anemia)
- Dysphagia (swallowing disorder)
- Foreign body removal
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (synonyms: GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease; gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); gastroesophageal reflux disease (reflux disease); gastroesophageal reflux; reflux esophagitis; reflux disease; Reflux esophagitis; peptic esophagitis) – inflammatory disease of the esophagus (esophagitis) caused by the pathological reflux (reflux) of acid gastric juice and other gastric contents.
- Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) – bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract.
- Unclear weight loss
- Refractory upper abdominal symptoms such as stomach pain or else nausea (sickness)/vomiting.
- Suspicious (suspicious) radiological findings.
- Changes in the mucosa of the esophagus
- Burns of the esophagus
- Suspicion of neoplasia (neoplasm).
The procedure
Esophagoscopy is both a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure. In order to get a good overview of the esophagus, special endoscopes with light, optical and working channels are used.
The tip of these flexible tubes can be angled in all directions so that almost all areas can be viewed. An important advantage of this method is that the examiner can immediately remove tissue samples from suspicious areas, which are then examined by a pathologist.
Esophagoscopy offers you a good opportunity for early detection of pathological changes in the esophagus. It offers you effective diagnosis and treatment.
Possible complications
- Injury or perforation (piercing) of the wall of the esophagus (food pipe) and/or stomach, and injury to the larynx with subsequent peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum)
- Injuries to the esophageal and/or gastric wall that do not lead to peritonitis until several days later
- More severe bleeding (e.g., after tissue removal).
- Hypersensitivity or allergies (e.g., anesthetics/anesthetics, medications, etc.) may temporarily cause the following symptoms: Swelling, rash, itching, sneezing, watery eyes, dizziness or vomiting.
- After esophagoscopy, swallowing difficulties, sore throat, mild hoarseness or flatulence may occur. These complaints usually disappear after a few hours by themselves.
- Tooth damage caused by the endoscope or the bite ring are rare.
- Infections, after which severe life-threatening complications concerning heart, circulation, respiration, etc. occur, are very rare. Similarly, permanent damage (eg, paralysis) and life-threatening complications (eg, sepsis / blood poisoning) after infections are very rare.
