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Laryngoscopy, Pharyngoscopy, and Oesophagoscopy

What Are These Procedures?

These are medical tests that help your doctor look inside your throat and oesophagus (the tube that carries food from your throat to your stomach). They are used to find out what might be causing problems like a sore throat, trouble swallowing, or other issues.

1. Laryngoscopy

  • What It Is: This test looks at your voice box (larynx) and vocal cords.

  • Why It's Done: To find out why you have a hoarse voice, a long-lasting cough, or trouble swallowing. It can also check for throat cancer or other growths.

2. Pharyngoscopy

  • What It Is: This test looks at the part of your throat that connects your mouth and nose to your oesophagus and voice box.

  • Why It's Done: To find out why you have a sore throat, trouble swallowing, or other throat issues. It can also check for infections, swelling, or tumours.

3. Oesophagoscopy

  • What It Is: This test looks at your oesophagus.

  • Why It's Done: To find out why you have trouble swallowing, acid reflux, or other oesophagus problems. It can also check for cancer, ulcers, or blockages.

How Are These Procedures Done?

Laryngoscopy:

  • Preparation: You will be given general anaesthesia to make you sleep. You will need to fast for several hours before the test

  • Procedure: Dr Fragkiadakis will use a thin, hollow tube with a camera (laryngoscope) to look at your voice box and vocal cords..

  • Duration: About 10 to 15 minutes.

Pharyngoscopy:

  • Preparation: You will be given general anaesthesia to make you sleep. You will need to fast for several hours before the test

  • Procedure: Dr Fragkiadakis will use a thin, hollow tube with a camera (laryngoscope) to look at your voice box and vocal cords..

  • Duration: About 10 to 15 minutes..

Oesophagoscopy:

  • Preparation: You will be given general anaesthesia to make you sleep. You will need to fast for several hours before the test.

  • Procedure: The doctor will use a hollow tube with a camera (endoscope) to look at your oesophagus.

  • Duration: About 15 to 30 minutes.

What to Expect During and After the Exam

After the Exam:

  • Recovery: If you were given anaesthesia, you will be monitored until it wears off. You might have a sore throat, mild hoarseness, or a cough for a few hours to a couple of days.

  • Diet:  Soft diet initially and then free as you please.

  • Results: Dr Fragkiadakis might discuss initial findings with you right after the test. If biopsies or further tests are needed, the results might take a few days or weeks.

Benefits of These Procedures:

  • Accurate Diagnosis: They help Dr Fragkiadakis find out what's causing your symptoms.

  • Early Detection of Cancer: They can detect signs of cancer early when treatment is most effective.

  • Targeted Treatment: They help Dr Fragkiadakis plan the right treatment if issues like tumours, infections, or foreign objects are found.

Risks and Considerations:

  • Bleeding: Minor bleeding can happen, especially if a biopsy is done.

  • Infection: There's a slight risk of infection.

  • Sore Throat: You might have a sore throat, hoarseness, or a dry cough for a few days.

  • Perforation: Rarely, the instrument might cause a tear in the oesophagus or other areas.

  • Injury of nearby structures:, examples are injury of the lips, temporomandibular joint, teeth and gums.

Who Should Consider These Procedures?

  • People with persistent sore throat, trouble swallowing, or hoarseness that doesn't improve with treatment.

  • Those with chronic coughing, especially if it's accompanied by blood or mucus.

  • Individuals with unexplained weight loss, difficulty eating, or a sensation of food getting stuck in the throat.

  • Those with snoring, sleep apnea, or other airway problems.

  • People with a history of throat, laryngeal, or oesophageal cancer, or known risk factors for cancer.

For further information, please click the link below

Pharyngoscopy - Laryngoscopy - Oeosphagoscopy​

If you have any further queries call 02087207499 or email contact@entgeorge.com

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