Functional Endoscopy in Neurogenic Dysphagia

November 6, 2022 updated by: Dr. Dirk Domagk, University Hospital Muenster

Transnasal Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing: Functional Esophagoscopy Using an Ultrathin Video Endoscope in Neurogenic Dysphagia

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).

Study Overview

Status

Completed

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).

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

62

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

      • Muenster, Germany
        • University Hospital of Muenster
    • NRW
      • Warendorf, NRW, Germany, 48231
        • Josephs Hospital Warendorf

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The focus of our observational study are patients with suspected neurogenic dysphagia.

Description

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

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Intervention / Treatment
neurogenic dysphagia
Patients suffering from neurogenic dysphagia due to several reasons (e.g. Parkinson´s disease).
Other Names:
  • ultrathin video endoscope with an outer diameter of 3.8 mm (BF-3C160, Olympus Europe)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Number of patients in which the procedure may be successfully performed (feasibility)
Time Frame: 30 minutes
Feasibility, safety, and tolerability of the procedure
30 minutes

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Pathologic endoscopic findings in patients suffering from neurogenic dysphagia
Time Frame: 30 minutes
Acquisition of pathologenic mechanism during swallowing
30 minutes
Number of patients with adverse events as a measure of safety and tolerability
Time Frame: 1 week
safety of transnasal functional endoscopy in diagnostics of neurogenic dysphagia
1 week

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

December 1, 2013

Primary Completion (Actual)

October 31, 2017

Study Completion (Actual)

October 31, 2017

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

November 18, 2013

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 21, 2013

First Posted (Estimate)

November 27, 2013

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

November 9, 2022

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 6, 2022

Last Verified

December 1, 2020

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 2012_2013_003
  • TNE_2010 (Other Identifier: University Hospital of Muenster)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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