Nasal Endoscopy

Nasal Endoscopy is a procedure to look at the passages of the nose and sinus. It has an endoscope. It is a thin, flexible tube with a light and a small camera. This procedure is often performed in his or her office by an ear, nose and throat doctor (otolaryngologist).

The sinuses are a group of spaces formed by your face's bones. They link your nasal cavity. It's the space filled with air behind your nose.

The health care provider inserts the endoscope into your nose during the procedure. He or she leads it through your nasal passages and sinuses. You can see images of the area through the endoscope. This can help in health diagnosis and treatment. In some cases, small tools can be used for taking small tissue samples or for other tasks.

Why might I need a nasal endoscopy?

You might need a nasal endoscopy if your healthcare provider needs more information about problems such as:

1. Nasal congestion
2. Nasal blockage
3. Nasal and sinus infection (rhinosinusitis)
4. Nasal polyps
5. Nasal tumors
6. Nosebleeds
7. Loss of ability to smell
8. Cerebrospinal fluid leak

The endoscopy can show specific details, such as the site of bleeding and swelling of nasal tissue. It can also be used to look at a growth that might be cancer.

A nasal endoscopy may be used for treatment in some cases. For example, a child may be able to remove a foreign object from its nose. Your provider may also advise endoscopy to see how a nose or sinus treatment works. It can show, for example, if nasal polyps have decreased.

Rhinosinusitis is one of the common causes of endoscopy of the nose. You may have symptoms such as blockage of the nose, yellow or greenish nose fluid, and facial pain. Your health care provider may search for swelling and polyps using the endoscope. Pus from the infected area can be collected. This can help to demonstrate what causes an infection and how to treat it best.

A health care provider can perform minimally invasive surgery with a nasal endoscope. This is done in a clinic or surgical centre. It can treat conditions like a sinus infection, nasal polyps and tumors of the nose. The surgery is carried out with very small tools and no external cut( incision) is required.