Trans Nasal Endoscopy system vs conventional upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for the detection of esophageal disorders: the TNE-study

Adenocarcinoma is found in 60% of patients with esophageal cancer. An important
risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma is Barrett*s esophagus (BE).
BE is a metaplastic change of the lining of the esophagus with replacement of
the normal squamous epithelium by specialized intestinal epithelium. Most of
the patients ( 80%) doesen't have any symptoms of reflux.
It is presently unclear what the actual prevalence of BE is in the general
population. When this is known, it is possible to assertain, if and to which
persons the advice must be given to undergo screening for BE.
One of the disadvantages of standard upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is
that patients often experience this investigation as burdensome. This could
reduce the compliance of patients to undergo standard upper GI endoscopy for
screening purposes. Therefore, there has been a search for effective
alternatives of standard upper GI endoscopy for this indication.
Therefore e new methode has developped: ultrathin endoscopy has the advantage
over standard endoscopy that the diameter of the endoscope is substantially
thinner(5.3 mm) which makes the technique more tolerable to patients.
Besides, this endoscope has a sterile, disposable Endo-Sheath system. Therefore
high-level disinfection** of the endoscope isn't needed anymore.

The objective of this study is to compare TNE with conventional upper GI
endoscopy in detecting esophageal mucosal abnormalities, effectiviness of
barrier for microorganisme and patients experience with both techniques.

To recruit patients for this study, the list of patients waiting for upper GI
endoscopy will be obtained. a total of 40 patients will be included
Patients will be asked to undergo a second endoscopy at the same time using the
TNE system. After each procedure, the tip of the TNE system will be cultured
Before and 1 week after the endoscopy, patients will fullout questionnaires

Patients will undergo a second endoscopy using the TNE system before the
conventionall upper gastrointestinal endoscopy

There are no benefits for patients participating in this study.
The disadvantage of this study is that patients will be asked to undergo a
second endoscopy at the same time using the TNE system which takes 5 minutes.
Besides, they have to fullout some questionnaires.