Visual evaluation of the larynx and hypopharynx during esophagogastroduodenoscopy: a safety and feasibility study

Structured oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx assessment during routine esophagogastroduodenoscopy improves detection of pre- and early cancerous lesions: a multicenter, comparative study

Background and study aims  A structured assessment of the oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx (OHL) may improve the diagnostic yield for the detection of precancerous and early cancerous lesions (PECLs) during routine esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Thus, we aimed to compare routine EGDs ± structured OHL assessment (SOHLA), including photo documentation with regard to the detection of PECLs. Patients and methods  Consecutive patients with elective EGD were arbitrarily allocated to endoscopy lists with or without SOHLA. All detected OHL abnormalities were assessed by an otolaryngologist-head & neck surgeon (ORL-HNS) and the frequency of PECLS detected during SOHLA vs. standard cohort compared. Results  Data from 1000 EGDs with and 1000 EGDs without SOHLA were analyzed. SOHLA was successful in 93.3 % of patients, with a median assessment time of 45 seconds (interquartile range: 40-50). SOHLA identified 46 potential PECLs, including two benign subepithelial lesions (4.6 %, 95 % CI: 3.4-6.1) while without SOHLA, no malignant and only one benign lesion was found ( P  < 0.05). ORL-HNS imaging review classified 23 lesions (2.3 %, 95 % CI: 1.5-3.4) as concerning and ORL-HNS clinic assessment was arranged. This identified six PECLs (0.6 %, 95 % CI: 0.2-1.3) including two pharyngeal squamous cell lesions (0.2 %) demonstrating high-grade dysplasia and carcinoma in situ (CIS) and four premalignant glottic lesions (0.4 %) demonstrating low-grade dysplasia and CIS. Conclusion  In the routine setting of a gastrointestinal endoscopy practice precancerous and early cancerous lesions of the oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx are rare (< 1 %) but can be detected with a structured assessment of this region during routine upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Incidental Otolaryngologic Pathology Noted Upon Esophagogastroduodenoscopy: Case Series and Review of Literature

OBJECTIVES

We report and analyze eight cases in which patients were referred from gastroenterology (GI) to otolaryngology following esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). We aim to provide specific examples of head and neck pathology encountered by gastroenterologists during upper endoscopy.

METHODS

A series of eight cases between 2016 and 2019 were analyzed by chart review. In each case, otolaryngology consultation was requested after an abnormality was noticed by a gastroenterologist during EGD. Subsequent laryngoscopy or bronchoscopy was performed in all cases allowing for image comparison. Select images comparing EGD to laryngoscopy findings are included as well as a literature review concerning the nature of communication between the two specialties.

RESULTS

Eight adult patients were referred to otolaryngology for abnormalities noted by a gastroenterologist during EGD at the following anatomic sites: soft palate (n=1), base of tongue (n=2), glottis (n=3), and interarytenoid mucosa (n=1). Additionally, a potential airway foreign body was noted on EGD which was ultimately determined to represent normal subglottic anatomy by bronchoscopy. Some 5/8 (63%) cases were considered true pathology while 3/8 (37%) represented normal anatomy or anatomic variants upon subsequent otolaryngologic evaluation.

CONCLUSIONS

There is minimal literature regarding the nature of referrals from GI to otolaryngology following EGD. Our findings suggest that EGD offers a unique opportunity for early detection of otolaryngologic pathology. However, certain inter-specialty anatomic knowledge gaps were noted which contributed to occasional unnecessary referrals, procedures, and associated patient anxiety. We hope that the results of this study can inform future research aimed at improving communication and collaboration between the two specialties.

Comparison of narrow band imaging and the Storz Professional Image Enhancement System for detection of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal pathologies

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare narrow band imaging (NBI) endoscopy and Storz Professional Image Enhancement System (SPIES) in observing epithelial and/or subepithelial microvascular irregularities and pathologies.

METHODS

A total of 73 patients with laryngeal or hypopharyngeal lesions were investigated using high-definition NBI endoscopy preoperatively in local anesthesia and using SPIES system intraoperatively in general anesthesia from August 2016 to October 2017. Superficial vascular structures were classified preoperatively (NBI) and intraoperatively (SPIES) according to descriptive guidelines of vascular changes by Arens. All lesions were endoscopically evaluated and divided according to the histological examination into four groups (A-benign lesions, B-recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, C-low-grade dysplasia, D-high-grade dysplasia, carcinoma in situ or invasive squamous cell carcinoma), and results were compared with NBI and SPIES optical biopsy.

RESULTS

Benign lesions (polyps, cysts, chronic inflammation, hyperkeratosis) were histologically confirmed in 26/73 (35.6%) cases and identified by NBI in 20/26 lesions (76.9%) and in 20/26 cases (76.9%) by SPIES, respectively. Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis was confirmed in 16/73 (21.9%) and detected in 15/16 cases (93.8%) by NBI and in 16/16 cases (100.0%) by SPIES. Low-grade dysplasia (mild and moderate dysplasia) was histologically detected in 7/73 patients (9.6%) and accurately identified by NBI in 6/7 (85.7%) and by SPIES in 6/7 (85.7%) cases, respectively. Histopathological features of severe dysplasia, carcinoma in situ or invasive squamous cell carcinoma were detected in 24/73 (32.9%) patients. According to the NBI endoscopy the suspected vascular neoangiogenesis was recognized in 19/24 cases (79.2%) and in 18/24 cases (75.0%) using SPIES endoscopy. Sensitivity and specificity of NBI endoscopy and SPIES system in correct prediction of histological diagnosis of already detected lesions were 83.0 and 98.0% and 86.0 and 96.0%, respectively. Results of NBI/SPIES endoscopy and histopathological features of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal lesions were compared and the level of agreement was 81.43%, kappa index κ = 0.7428 (95% CI 0.682-0.832) (p < 0.001) by NBI endoscopy and 81.16%, kappa index κ = 0.7379 (95% CI 0.638-0.880) (p < 0.001) by SPIES endoscopy, respectively. The agreement was confirmed as substantial and strong. Level of agreement of both endoscopic methods was 92.54%, kappa index κ = 0.8965 (95% CI 0.877-0.954) (p < 0.001), agreement was confirmed as almost perfect. Between NBI and SPIES endoscopic imaging methods is no significant differentiation.

CONCLUSION

Both methods, NBI endoscopy and SPIES system, are comparable in detection and analysis of superficial neoangiogenesis, typical for benign lesion and for precancerous or cancerous changes in larynx and hypopharynx.

Usefulness of ultrasound for assessing the primary tumor of hypopharyngeal carcinoma

Objectives

To clarify the usefulness of ultrasonography for detecting hypopharyngeal cancer.

Study Design

Cross-sectional study.

Methods

The study included 95 patients who underwent pre-treatment ultrasonography. We evaluated the usefulness of ultrasonography for detecting primary hypopharyngeal carcinoma of each T stage and subsite, and for assessing extrahypopharyngeal invasion. Additionally, we determined the efficacy of color Doppler for evaluating primary hypopharyngeal carcinoma.

Results

The patients comprised 93 men and 2 women with a mean age of 67.5 years. The T stage (primary tumors) was T1 in 29 patients, T2 in 22, T3 in 9, and T4 in 35. Primary sites with a T stage over T3 were detected using ultrasonography in 17 patients.Regarding primary subsites, postcricoid tumors were assessed most easily (64%), while posterior wall tumors were the most difficult to assess (25%). In 15 of 17 patients, the evaluation of extrahypopharyngeal invasion by ultrasonography matched up precisely with computed tomography findings. In addition, abnormally increased blood flow in primary hypopharyngeal cancers was recognized by color Doppler, and could be used to predict subsites.

Conclusions

Cancers at T3 and T4 hypopharyngeal primary tumors and their extrahypopharyngeal invasion were detectable using ultrasonography. Furthermore, ultrasonography was useful for assessing postcricoid tumors that were difficult to observe by flexible laryngoscopy.

Level of Evidence

4.