It is very difficult to observe the postcricoid area of the hypopharynx and the upper end of the esophagus with a fiberscope because their lumens are usually closed. When the gastrointestinal fiberscope (GIF type P2, Olympus Co. Ltd.) and nasopharyngo-laryngofiberscope (ENF type LB, Olympus Co. Ltd.) were used in a case of hypopharyngeal (postcricoid) cancer for comparison, the ENF-LB is too slender to keep a favorable position for observation and insufficient to extend the postcricoid lumen. Therefore, it is not suitable for observation on these regions as compared with the GIF-P2. A small erosion in the postcricoid area of the hypopharynx after passage of fish bones could be diagnosed by mounting the hood on the GIF-P3. When the ENF-LB was simultaneously inserted through the nose while the gastrointestinal fiberscope (GIF type XQ10, Olympus Co. Ltd.) was being orally inserted, the pyriform sinus could be favorably observed because the hypopharynx cavity had been extended by the GIF.
From the above-mentioned experiences, the balloon (Top Co. Ltd.) which had been used in the sclerotherapy of the esophageal varix was mounted on the end of the GIF-XQ10 in order to obtain an enough visual field by extending the lumen of the hypopharynx and the upper end of the esophagus. It was used successfully in diagnosing and treating the ectopic gastric mucosa and foreign body in the esophagus.
