Esophagoscopy

Esophagoscopy is a very useful tool in the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal diseases. It is a highly reliable diagnostic method for evaluating esophageal disorders that affect the mucosa or alter the lumen of the organ. Esophagoscopy allows the procurement of cytology and histology samples. The most common mucosal and luminal abnormalities diagnosed by esophagoscopy are foreign bodies, esophagitis and strictures. Esophageal ulcers, fistula and neoplasia are less frequently encountered in dogs and cats. Megaesophagus, diverticula, vascular ring anomalies and hiatal disorders are best investigated by contrast radiography, however endoscopy can give a more accurate and accessory information in these conditions. Indications for esophagoscopy include clinical signs referable to esophageal disease, including regurgitation, dysphagia, odynophagia and unexplained salivation. Esophagoscopy has also a useful therapeutic role. The main therapeutic indications of esophagoscopy are the retrieval of foreign bodies and the dilation of esophageal strictures under direct visualization. A range of grasping forceps assists the endoscopist in grasping and carefully retrieving the foreign body. An accurate evaluation of the esophagus after removal is important to assess the mucosal damage and rule out perforation. Conservative treatment of benign esophageal strictures is currently the most reliable approach to this condition in animals and humans. Mechanical dilation of strictures is achieved using balloon catheter dilation or bougienage. A technique using endoscopic electrocautery incisions of the stricture prior to balloon dilation has been proposed by the author.