The transnasal esophagoscopy documentation dilemma

To determine radiographically the anatomic length difference between the nasal and oral aerodigestive tracts and to clarify gaps in the literature regarding standardized landmark measurements and documentation techniques in transnasal esophagoscopy, as opposed to traditional transoral esophagoscopy.

This is a prospective radiographic cohort study.

Digital computerized tomography measurement techniques were used to determine the difference in length between the nasal and oral aerodigestive tracts. Using sagittal plane images from consecutive patients, the mean nares-cricoid (NC) distance, upper incisor-cricoid (IC) distance, and their mean differences were determined. Male, female, and overall distances and differences were calculated. Standard deviations, 95% confidence intervals, and 90% prediction intervals were also calculated. Mean difference data were applied to reported standard oral esophagoscopy landmark measurements to convert to standard landmark measurements from the nares.

Overall mean NC and IC distances were 175.4 mm and 147.5 mm, respectively. For males, these mean distances were 185.5 mm and 155.0 mm, respectively. For females, these mean distances were 165.3 mm and 140.0 mm, respectively. Overall mean NC to IC difference was 27.9 mm. The mean NC to IC difference for males and females was 30.5 mm and 25.2 mm, respectively.

Historically, landmark and report measurements in esophagoscopy have been measured and standardized from the upper incisor. This study demonstrates and clarifies the inherent anatomic length difference of the nasal and oral aerodigestive tracts and the resultant documentation dilemma produced by transnasal esophagoscopy techniques. These data provide easy conversion of esophagoscopy measurements reported from the incisors or nares, providing better communication between endoscopists of different disciplines and techniques.