What Is a Transnasal Endoscopy (TNE)?

Transnasal endoscopy (TNE) is a special test (commonly called a “scope”) that lets the doctor look at the lining of your child’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract. An endoscope (in-doe-scope) is a long, thin, hollow tube with a special camera and light at the end. The doctor uses this camera to look at the GI tract. The parts of the GI tract your doctor can look at with the TNE scope are the:

• Mouth
• Esophagus (e-sof-a gus)
• Stomach

During the TNE, your doctor may take biopsies, or small pieces of tissue from the esophagus. Most children do not feel anything when the biopsies as taken, a few feel a mild ”tug,” and very rarely some feel a slight pinch. 

TNE looks at the upper part of the GI tract (esophagus, stomach) to monitor the activity of a chronic condition. Sometimes the doctor may need to look at the lower part of the GI tract (large intestine and lower part of the small intestine), which would require a traditional gastrointestinal endoscopy.

TNE does not require general anesthesia (being put to sleep). Your child will have a numbing nose spray and throat medicine before the test. No other medicines are needed.

Your child’s total time at the hospital is about one to one and a half hours. This includes the time before and after the TNE scope. Unlike traditional GI endoscopy, TNE does not use anesthesia.

Associated Risks

Transnasal endoscopy is a safe procedure. Few children have unexpected or serious complications.

After the TNE scope, children may have:

• Mild sore nose and throat
• Burping and sense of fullness

The risks of the TNE scope include:

• Bleeding from the biopsy sites
• Infection

The risk of a complication is very small. Your healthcare team will review these risks in more detail during your clinic visit.

Call our office at 513-636-4415 if your child has severe pain, fever of 100.5 or greater or if you have any questions/concerns after the TNE scope.

Before the Scope

• Your child should not eat or drink anything for two hours before the test.

Call Your Child's Doctor If:

• Your child has a fever of 100.5 or greater, a cough or is ill within seven days of the TNE scope
• Your child has been exposed to a communicable disease (such as chicken pox, COVID) before the TNE scope

Diet Instructions and Examples

Children having TNE should not eat or drink for two hours before the test.

Reminders:

• Be sure to watch your child brush their teeth so they do not swallow any water while brushing.