R. Srinivasan et al., Role of flexible endoscopy in the evaluation of possible esophageal traumaafter penetrating injuries, AM J GASTRO, 95(7), 2000, pp. 1725-1729
OBJECTIVE: In urban medical centers, penetrating injuries of the chest, nec
k, and head are frequently encountered due to the use of firearms and sharp
weapons: Successful management of esophageal injury requires a high index
of suspicion and prompt diagnosis; The role of flexible endoscopy, a readil
y available modality, has not been studied extensively in the management of
potential esophageal injuries due to trauma.
METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 55 patients who underwent emergent
flexible endoscopy for the evaluation of suspected penetrating esophageal
injuries was performed to determine if endoscopy was safe and if it yielded
information that altered patient management.
RESULTS: Flexible endoscopy was performed safely in all patients. It yielde
d a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 92.4%, a negative predictive value
of 100%, and a positive predictive value of 33.3% for detecting an esophage
al injury. Although positive findings (prevalence, 3.6%) are infrequent, no
esophageal injuries were missed. Endoscopy altered patient management in 3
8 (69.1%) patients.
CONCLUSIONS: Emergent flexible endoscopic examination of the esophagus is a
safe and useful diagnostic tool in the early evaluation of penetrating inj
uries. Flexible endoscopy resulted in four negative surgical explorations,
which was deemed acceptable by the Trauma Service, as the consequences of a
missed esophageal injury is likely to be devastating. (C) 2000 by Am. Cell
. of Gastroenterology.