Endoscopy involves using a small camera on the end of a tube, called an endoscope, to take images of the body as it is passed along the desired surface (i.e. esophagus, airway). Upper and lower airway endoscopy involves examining the airways (trachea) and pharyngeal regions, including the guttural pouches.
Endoscopy is a great tool that enables us to diagnose various issues, ranging from left laryngeal hemiplegia, dorsal displacement of the soft palate, epiglottic entrapment, guttural pouch mycosis, and chondroid formation within the guttural pouch (this is not an exhaustive or complete list- there are many more).
Gastroscopy involves passing the endoscope down the esophagus to the stomach to visualize the anatomy and/or pathology present. This procedure is routinely conducted in the ‘standing’ mildly sedate patient.
