Accuracy of transnasal endoscopy with a disposable esophagoscope compared to conventional endoscopy

AIM: To assess feasibility of unsedated esophagoscopy using a small-caliber disposable transnasal esophagosco-py and to compare its accuracy with standard endoscopy.METHODS: We prospectively included subjects who were referred for upper endoscopy. All subjects un-derwent transnasal endoscopy with E.G. Scan. The disposable probe has a 3.6 mm gauge and at its distal end there is a 6 mm optical capsule, with a viewing angle of 125°. Patients underwent conventional endos-copy after the completion of E.G. Scan. We describe the findings detected by the E.G. Scanand calculate the diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and Kappa index for esophageal diagnosis.RESULTS: A total of 96 patients(54 women), mean age of 50.12 years(14 to 79), were evaluated. In all cases we were able to perform esophagoscopy with E.G.Scan. The average realization time was 5 min. A total of 58 alterations were detected in the esophagus, 49 gastric abnormalities and 13 duodenal abnormalities. We found that for esophageal varices, E.G. Scanhas sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of 95%, 97% and 97%, respectively. Kappa coefficients were 0.32 for hiatal hernia, 0.409 for erosive gastroesopha-geal reflux disease, 0.617 for Barrett’s esophagus, and 0.909 for esophageal varices.CONCLUSION: Esophagoscopy with E.G. Scan? is a well-tolerated, fast and safe procedure. It has an ap-propriate diagnostic accuracy for esophageal varices when compared with conventional endoscopy.