Clinical trial NCT01995929: Functional Endoscopy in Neurogenic Dysphagia
Official title: Transnasal Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing: Functional Esophagoscopy Using an Ultrathin Video Endoscope in Neurogenic Dysphagia
Study type: OBSERVATIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Conditions: Neurogenic Dysphagia
Keywords: neurogenic dysphagia
transnasal endoscopy
functional endoscopy
Lead sponsor: University Hospital Muenster
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2013-11-27
Enrollment: 62
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Observational model: CASE_CONTROL
Time perspective: PROSPECTIVE
Sampling method: NON_PROBABILITY_SAMPLE
Study population: The focus of our observational study are patients with suspected neurogenic dysphagia.

Brief summary: The esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy is an endoscopic examination technique of the upper GI-tract which was founded by the German surgeon Johann Freiherr von Mikuliicz-Radecki at the end of 19th century. By this means, the luminal site of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum may be visualized after inserting a flexible endoscope through the mouth (transoral access). By the rapid technical development in the last years smaller flexible video endoscopes have been developed allowing also an alternative access to the upper GI-tract via the nose (transnasal access).

Patients with dysphagia are referred to physicians of different disciplines (gastroenterology, surgery, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) medicine, radiology, neurology) performing a variety of endoscopic and non-endoscopic techniques. Mostly, the endoscopic examination of the esophagus is done in sedated patients in left lateral examination. Typical findings during esophagoscopy might be tumors, strictures, achalasia or diverticula.

Patients suffering from neurogenic dysphagia often get caught in the trap: they find themselves somewhere in the space between gastroenterologist, neurologist, ENT-specialist and radiologist. This dilemma might be due to a lack of pathophysiological knowledge among many physicians and an inability to directly visualize the esophageal phase of deglutition. In sedated patients lying in left lateral position, endoscopists may receive a very limited impression of the function of the different phases of swallowing since this endoscopic access is a rather static one.

The focus of our observational study are patients with suspected neurogenic dysphagia. These patients shall be examined by transnasal endoscopy applying an ultrathin video endoscope with an outer diameter of 3.8 mm (BF-3C160, Olympus Europe). Patients are examined in sitting position while ingesting water and food of different consistencies (functional endoscopy). Diagnostic shall be completed and correlated by videofluoroscopy, high-resolution manometry and assessment of the clinical signs. Beside feasibility and safety as primary endpoints, secondary endpoints shall be the assessment of pathologic endoscopic findings in patients suffering from neurogenic dysphagia. The study is approved by the local Ethics Committee (AZ 2010-214-f-S).

Detailed description: The esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy is an endoscopic examination technique of the upper GI-tract which was founded by the German surgeon Johann Freiherr von Mikuliicz-Radecki at the end of 19th century. By this means, the luminal site of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum may be visualized after inserting a flexible endoscope through the mouth (transoral access). By the rapid technical development in the last years smaller flexible video endoscopes have been developed allowing also an alternative access to the upper GI-tract via the nose (transnasal access).

Patients with dysphagia are referred to physicians of different disciplines (gastroenterology, surgery, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) medicine, radiology, neurology) performing a variety of endoscopic and non-endoscopic techniques. Mostly, the endoscopic examination of the esophagus is done in sedated patients in left lateral examination. Typical findings during esophagoscopy might be tumors, strictures, achalasia or diverticula. In sedated patients lying in left lateral position, endoscopists may, therefore, receive a very limited impression of the actual function of the different phases of swallowing since this endoscopic approach is a rather static one.

Patients suffering from neurogenic dysphagia often get caught in the trap: they find themselves somewhere in the space between gastroenterologist, neurologist, ENT-specialist and radiologist. This dilemma might be due to a lack of pathophysiological knowledge among many physicians and an inability to directly visualize the esophageal phase of deglutition.

The focus of our observational study are patients with suspected neurogenic dysphagia. These patients shall be examined by transnasal endoscopy applying an ultrathin video endoscope with an outer diameter of 3.8 mm (BF-3C160, Olympus Europe). Patients are examined in sitting position while ingesting water and food of different consistencies (functional endoscopy). Diagnostic shall be completed and correlated by videofluoroscopy, high-resolution manometry and assessment of the clinical signs. Beside feasibility and safety as primary endpoints, secondary endpoints shall be the assessment of pathologic endoscopic findings in patients suffering from neurogenic dysphagia. The study is approved by the local Ethics Committee (AZ 2010-214-f-S).

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* patients with suspected neurogenic dysphagia, not fulfilling the exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

* Age under 18 years
* Inability to understand information for participation
* Refusal of participation

Primary outcomes:
measure: Number of patients in which the procedure may be successfully performed (feasibility)
timeFrame: 30 minutes
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Pathologic endoscopic findings in patients suffering from neurogenic dysphagia
timeFrame: 30 minutes
measure: Number of patients with adverse events as a measure of safety and tolerability
timeFrame: 1 week
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Warendorf
country: Germany
facility: Josephs Hospital Warendorf
state: NRW
city: Muenster
country: Germany
facility: University Hospital of Muenster
Study officials:
References:
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citation: Herrmann IF, Scarpignato C. [Functional endoscopy : the physiological and pathophysiological basis of reflux disease, diagnosis and therapy]. HNO. 2009 Dec;57(12):1221-36. doi: 10.1007/s00106-009-1934-z. German.
citation: Ruckert J, Lenz P, Heinzow H, Wessling J, Warnecke T, Herrmann IF, Strahl M, Lenze F, Nowacki T, Domagk D. Functional endoscopy in neurogenic dysphagia: a feasibility study focusing on the esophageal phase of swallowing. Endosc Int Open. 2021 Apr;9(4):E646-E652. doi: 10.1055/a-1380-3224. Epub 2021 Apr 15.