[The current status of broncho-esophagoscopy in otorhinolaryngology]

Most bronchoscopies and esophagoscopies are currently performed with flexible instruments by the respective specialist. Thus the field of bronchoesophagology is in danger of being fragmented; neither the pneumologist nor the gastroenterologist have the complete overview of the upper respiratory and digestive tract. This review shows that number of pathologic conditions in the ENT area and the mediastinum involve the upper respiratory as well as the digestive tract, and thus underscore the need for combined tracheobronchial and esophageal endoscopy. Mastering of rigid and flexible endoscopy is mandatory to be efficient in diagnostic and therapeutic broncho-esophagoscopy. The ENT specialist is in the best position to maintain an overview of this whole field. New developments in broncho-esophagoscopy are presented and discussed in terms of cost effectiveness.