PROGRESS IN OTOLARYNGOLOGY: A Summary of the Bibliographic Material Available in the Field of Otolaryngology * PERORAL ENDOSCOPY * A CRITICAL REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Abstract

During the last few years, marked advances in the field of bronchoscopy and esophagoscopy have been observed. These methods, originally perfected for the removal of foreign bodies in the air and food passages, have greatly increased their scope of usefulness. Many important contributions have been added in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the respiratory tract and food passages, so that today, the foreign body phase constitutes but a small part of the work of the bronchoscopist and esophagoscopist. Blind methods of diagnosis and treatment of esophageal disease are being slowly replaced by the more scientific methods of direct inspection. It is no longer necessary to make an inferential diagnosis of laryngeal disease in children. As stated by Iglauer:1A direct examination of the larynx, will, in most cases, almost certainly determine the true diagnosis. FOREIGN BODIES IN THE AIR AND FOOD PASSAGES A number of excellent articles bearing