PRESENT STATE-OF-THE-ART IN ENT BRONCHO-E SOPHAGOSCOPY

Most bronchoscopies and esophagoscopies are currently performed with f lexible instruments by the respective specialist. Thus the field of br onchoesophagology is in danger of being fragmented; neither the pneumo logist nor the gastroenterologist have the complete overview of the up per respiratory and digestive tract. This review shows that number of pathologic conditions in the ENT area and the mediastinum involve the upper respiratory as well as the digestive tract, and thus underscore the need for combined tracheobronchial and esophageal endoscopy. Maste ring of rigid and flexible endoscopy is mandatory to be efficient in d iagnostic and therapeutic bronchoesophagoscopy. The ENT specialist is in the best position to maintain an overview of this whole field. New developments in bronchoesophagoscopy are presented and discussed in te rms of cost effectiveness.