Detection of subclinical disorders of the hypopharynx and larynx by gastrointestinal endoscopy.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: It is believed that blind introduction of an endoscope into the esophagus causes less patient discomfort. The aim of this study was to evaluate the yield and usefulness of endoscopic screening of the hypopharyngeal and laryngeal regions.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

A total of 1623 patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for gastrointestinal disease between 1987 and 1992 had the instrument introduced under visual guidance, and were retrospectively studied.

RESULTS

We found 15 pathological conditions in the throat (0.92%): two small cancers (0.12%), one advanced cancer (0.06%), two hypopharyngeal polyps (0.12%), one cyst (0.06%), and eight cases of lymphoid hyperplasia (0.49%) in the hypopharyngeal region. A large Zenker's diverticulum was detected in one patient (0.06%). All of these cases could have been overlooked if the instrument had been passed blindly through the throat.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, the procedure of screening the hypopharyngeal and laryngeal region is justified to detect earlystage disease in these regions.