Transnasal Esophagoscopy (TNE)
What is TNE?
- Transnasal Esophagoscopy is a test to look at your esophagus (the food tube that goes from your mouth into your stomach). This test is done by passing a flexible viewing tube through your nose and the back of your throat into the esophagus. We do this test to find the cause of problems with your voice or with swallowing, heartburn, and other symptoms. Pictures might be taken or a small sample of tissue removed (biopsy). This depends on what your doctor finds.
Getting Ready for TNE
- Do not eat or drink for 4 hours before the test. If you need to take medicine, take it with a small sip of water.
- Tell the nurse or doctor if you have any allergies to Lidocaine or other medicines ending with "caine".
- Tell us before the test if you are taking blood-thinners (warfarin or Coumadin®). You must ask your local doctor if you are able to stop the drug for a couple of days before the TNE exam. If you do not tell us about taking these drugs, you would have an increased risk of bleeding that could be life-threatening. Please call the ENT clinic at least 4 days before the test if you have any questions about this.
- For 5 days before your TNE, do not take aspirin or medicines containing aspirin. Do not take the anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, Rufen®, Advil®, Naprosyn®, Feldene®). Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) is OK.
- If you have an artificial heart valve, serious heart murmur, or joint replacement, please tell us when you schedule your appointment. You may need antibiotics to prevent infection.
If you have diabetes, you need to adjust your morning dose of insulin since you will not be eating or drinking on the morning of the test. You should talk this over with your local doctor. Bring your insulin with you to the clinic. Check your blood sugar in the morning before you come to the clinic. Bring the result with you. If you begin to have low blood sugar at home, please drink orange juice or some other liquid with sugar. We may still be able to do the exam unless you need to eat solid food to get your blood sugar back up. It is much more important for you to go ahead and treat your low blood sugar properly than it is to have the endoscopy done right away. The test can always be rescheduled.
The Exam
The test will be done in the ENT Clinic. It will take about 30 minutes. You will be awake the entire time. You will be seated. The doctor will numb your nose and throat with a numbing spray (Lidocaine). A small tube will be passed through your nose down into your esophagus. During the exam you may be asked to swallow or burp. Small puffs of air or water will be put into your esophagus. This might make you feel a little bloated. This can be easily burped or it will pass naturally.
After the Exam
You will remain alert and should not have any pain although you may notice a slight soreness in your nose and throat for a few hours. You will be able to breathe and swallow as before, but do not eat or drink anything for 1 hour after the exam.
After You Go Home
After 1 hour, slowly drink water. If this is swallowed without any problem, you may have solid food.
You may have mild pain. You may use Tylenol® for pain.
Do not take aspirin or aspirin-containing medicine for 72 hours since they increase the chance of bleeding.
Resume taking your blood-thinning medicines as directed by your local doctor.
If you have any of these warning signs, do not eat or drink and call your doctor right away.
- Early signs of breathing problems: increased rate of breathing, trouble breathing, and shortness of breath.
- Spitting up bright red blood.
- Fever over 101°F or 38.3°C.
- Chest pain
Phone Numbers
ENT (Otolaryngology) Clinic, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (608) 263-6190
After hours, weekends and holidays, this will give you the paging operator. Ask for the ENT doctor on call. Give the operator your name and phone number with the area code. The doctor will call you back.
If you live out of the area, please call: 1-800-323-8942. Ask for the ENT doctor on call.
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 02/09/2009
Copyright © 02/09/2009 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#6013
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