🔅Nasal endoscopy is a medical procedure that uses a thin, flexible tube with a light and a camera (called an endoscope) to examine the inside of the nose and the sinuses.
– It can help diagnose and treat various conditions that affect the nasal and sinus passages, such as infections, polyps, tumors, bleeding, or loss of smell.
– Some of the reasons why a doctor may perform a nasal endoscopy are:
• To evaluate the symptoms and signs of nasal or sinus problems, such as nasal congestion, blockage, discharge, pain, pressure, or reduced sense of smell.
• To identify the cause and location of nasal or sinus problems, such as infections, allergies, polyps, tumors, or cerebrospinal fluid leak.
• To obtain a sample of tissue or fluid from the nose or sinuses for laboratory testing or biopsy.
• To remove a foreign object from the nose (especially in children).
• To treat nasal or sinus problems with medications or surgery.
PROCEDURES IN NASAL ENDOSCOPY
– The procedure of nasal endoscopy is usually done in a doctor's office or an outpatient clinic. It may take 15 to 30 minutes depending on the purpose and complexity of the procedure.
– The steps involved are:
• The doctor will spray a decongestant and an anesthetic into the nose to reduce swelling and numb the area.
• The doctor will insert the endoscope into one nostril and gently guide it through the nasal and sinus passages. The doctor will look at the images on a screen and check for any abnormalities or problems.
• The doctor may use small instruments to take samples, remove polyps, stop bleeding, or perform other tasks through the endoscope.
• The doctor will repeat the same process on the other nostril if needed.
• The doctor will remove the endoscope and clean the nose with saline or cotton swabs.
APPLICATIONS OF NASAL ENDOSCOPY
– Some of the applications of nasal endoscopy are:
• To diagnose and treat rhinosinusitis (inflammation or infection of the nose and sinuses), which is one of the most common reasons for nasal endoscopy. The doctor can look for signs of swelling, pus, polyps, or other causes of sinusitis and collect samples for culture or biopsy.
– The doctor can also prescribe medications or perform surgery to clear the sinuses and improve drainage.
• To diagnose and treat nasal polyps (soft, painless growths inside the nose), which can cause nasal congestion, reduced sense of smell, sinus infections, and breathing difficulties. The doctor can measure the size and number of polyps and prescribe medications or perform surgery to shrink or remove them.
• To diagnose and treat nasal tumors (abnormal growths inside the nose), which can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). The doctor can examine the tumor and take a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine the type and stage of cancer. The doctor can also perform surgery to remove the tumor or refer to other specialists for further treatment.
• To diagnose and treat nosebleeds (epistaxis), which can be caused by various factors such as dryness, injury, infection, allergy, high blood pressure, blood disorders, or tumors. The doctor can locate the source of bleeding and stop it with medications, cautery (burning), packing (inserting gauze or sponge), or surgery.
• To diagnose and treat anosmia (loss of sense of smell), which can be caused by various factors such as infections, allergies, polyps, tumors, head trauma, aging, or neurological disorders. The doctor can look for any obstructions or abnormalities in the nose that may affect smell and prescribe medications or perform surgery to improve smell function. The doctor may also refer to other specialists for further evaluation.
• To diagnose and treat cerebrospinal fluid leak (CSF leak), which is a rare condition where the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord leaks through a hole or tear in the skull base into the nose. This can cause symptoms such as clear nasal discharge, headache, nausea, vomiting, vision problems, meningitis (infection of the brain lining), or brain herniation (pressure on the brain). The doctor can look for signs of CSF leak in the nose and perform tests to confirm the diagnosis. The doctor can also perform surgery to repair the hole or tear and stop the leak.
