Transnasal esophagoscopy, or TNE, is a leading-edge procedure that provides safe and effective evaluation of the esophagus and stomach. Children with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and other esophageal disorders at Riley Children’s Health benefit from the procedure.
What is transnasal esophagoscopy (TNE)?
After eating and drinking, the esophagus is the food pipe that connects your mouth to your stomach. It is the organ that food and liquids travel through to reach the stomach. The stomach is the organ within the digestive system that breaks down food and liquids and sends them into the intestine to be absorbed.
TNE is a nonsurgical procedure that involves passing an endoscope, a narrow thin tube or scope, through the nose and throat to examine the esophagus and stomach. With a light and camera attached to the endoscope, gastroenterology specialists can view the gastrointestinal tract to assess problems.
TNE does not require sedation or anesthesia, and can be completed in an outpatient office in less than an hour. A topical numbing medication is applied to the nose and back of the throat and wears off quickly. With no recovery time, children can return to school and other daily activities immediately following the procedure. Because TNE is quick and noninvasive, gastroenterology specialists at Riley Children’s can diagnose and select targeted treatments faster.
Patients are awake during the TNE procedure and remain seated in a chair. Therefore, it is best suited for patients about ten years and older who are not too scared or anxious during medical visits.
Why may my child need transnasal esophagoscopy (TNE)?
TNE can identify the problem for symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, heartburn, or the sensation of a lump in the throat (globus sensation).
Routine upper endoscopy, also used to diagnose and monitor gastrointestinal disorders, requires general anesthesia or sedation with an outpatient stay of a least four hours, recovery time and additional medical support. Sometimes routine endoscopy is a better test for your child and their symptoms, and this can be determined by their gastroenterologist.
Why Riley Children’s for transnasal esophagoscopy (TNE)?
Riley Children’s is one of the only children’s hospitals in the Midwest offering TNE. With TNE, Riley gastroenterology specialists can assess conditions and changes in treatment quickly without having children undergo anesthesia. It’s also ideal for older children and teenagers who have been stable and then experience a flare-up or new symptoms.
What to Expect
What to Expect
On the day of the test:
- Your child should not eat or drink anything for 2 hours before their appointment.
- You will meet your doctor and the medical team when you arrive at the clinic.
- The pediatric gastroenterologist will talk with you and your child to answer questions and discuss the procedure.
- Your child will be taken to the procedure room and asked to sit in a comfortable chair.
- A numbing medication will be inhaled through the nose to get to the back of the throat.
- Your child will be offered ways to make their experience pleasant during the test, like listening to music or watching videos.
- The scope will pass through the nose and into the esophagus and stomach. Your child may experience some pressure or discomfort in their nose and throat.
- The doctor will take photos of these areas and biopsies (small tissue samples).
- When the test is complete, the scope will be removed from your child’s nose.
Immediately after the test and returning home:
- Your doctor will go over the photos taken during the test.
- Your will be allowed to go home once your child can drink some water.
Returning home:
- Sore throat. Your child may experience a sore throat for 1-2 days after the test.
- Bleeding. For 1-2 days after the test, spitting up small amounts of blood is normal. Seeing a small amount of blood with sneezing or using a tissue in the nose is also normal.
Key Points To Remember
Key Points To Remember
- Motion analysis uses advanced technology to create a three-dimensional picture of how your child moves.
- A pediatric motion analysis team includes biomechanists, physical therapists and pediatric orthopedic surgeons.
- Motion analysis can benefit children who have neuromuscular disorders as well as young athletes.
- After a motion analysis, your child’s care team can provide recommendations for physical therapy and other treatments, if needed.