Transnasal esophagoscopy (TNE) is a diagnostic procedure that involves passing a slender, flexible videoendoscope through a topically anesthetized nasal passage into the back of the nose, down past the larynx, and through the whole length of the esophagus. Formerly, esophagoscopes were much larger in diameter than the newer scope. This makes passage of the scope relatively pain-free so that topical anesthesia is all that is required. Occasionally, anxious patients are slightly sedated for the procedure; more commonly, sedation is not needed and, in this latter instance, the patient may not only drive to the examination, but drive back to work or home afterwards.