Transnasal endoscopy (TNE) was first developed in Milwaukee, WI. Children’s Wisconsin is one of a few centers in the nation that can offer upper endoscopy without sedation. TNE is an unsedated procedure that allows your child’s doctor to examine and collect biopsies, or tissue samples, of your child’s esophagus, stomach and small bowel.
TNE is commonly used as a surveillance scope for patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). TNE can also be an alternative option to a sedated endoscopy for children with a variety of upper GI conditions. Your GI provider will discuss with you and your child if TNE is appropriate.
TNE is completed in the GI clinic by a specialized team of providers. You and your child will be prepared ahead of time on what to expect. Prior to starting the TNE, your child will be given medication to numb the nose and throat. Your child will be offered a virtual reality experience to watch during the procedure. A thin flexible endoscope, about the thickness of a phone charger, is passed through your child’s nose into their esophagus. From there, your child’s doctor will move the scope to evaluate the upper GI tract and collect the needed biopsies. Once the doctor has finished their evaluation, the scope is removed and the TNE is complete. On average, a TNE lasts about 15 minutes.
