INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A new, less invasive procedure is offering hope to families dealing with pediatric digestive issues, allowing for quicker diagnosis and treatment.
Shark Smith, a young boy diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis, has undergone multiple traditional endoscopies to manage his condition. However, a new approach using unsedated pediatric gastrointestinal transnasal endoscopy (TNE) has provided faster and gentler results.
“They actually said to me, his esophagus looks like that of an 80-year-old man. It’s gray, it’s scarred, his body was kind of attacking it for some reason,” Shark’s mother said.
Shark’s journey began after swallowing a penny, which led to the discovery of his underlying condition. Doctors warned that without identifying his food allergies, he might require a feeding tube.
Shark’s mother recounted the numerous endoscopies he endured, saying, “I can’t count how many times we’ve been, I’ve been scoped.” In fact, Shark underwent seven traditional endoscopies, each involving anesthesia.
Dr. Khalaf introduced Shark to the TNE procedure, which involves passing a small camera through the nose while the patient is awake. This method allows for real-time observation and biopsies without the need for anesthesia. During his last TNE, doctors discovered that a new medication, Dupixent, was effective, leading to Shark’s remission.
The TNE procedure, which takes only about 10 minutes, contrasts sharply with the lengthy traditional methods, offering a promising alternative for children like Shark.
This story is from a script aired on WISH-TV. This story was formatted for WISHTV.com using AI-assisted tools. Our editorial team reviews and edits all content published to ensure it meets our journalistic standards for accuracy and fairness. Health Spotlight is presented by Community Health Network.
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