Like all other endoscopies, a nasal endoscopy is also a diagnostic procedure which uses an endoscope to view inside the nasal cavities and the sinuses. A nasal endoscopy is used primarily to detect abnormalities, if any, in both the nasal and the sinus cavities. The procedure can also be used to confirm whether a particular condition requires a surgery or whether prescribed medications are effective.
A nasal endoscope is very similar to the other endoscopes. It is a thin optical instrument which appears tube like and is designed in a manner so that it can be inserted into the nose easily. The endoscope can either be rigid, angled or flexible.
Since the nasal passageways are very delicate, it is important for the doctor to move the endoscope and insert it into the nose very carefully. There are miniature lights in the endoscope, which help illuminate the nasal passage so that pictures can be taken for review. The fiber optic camera on the endoscope helps to record everything and display it on a monitor. The images are magnified and detailed so that the doctors are able to capture everything closely.
An endoscopic camera allows the physician to view abnormalities which are related to sinus. If there is a blockage or inflammation in the cavity, the doctors can insert instruments into the shaft of the endoscope to remove them. Instruments may also be used to retrieve tissue samples for later examination.
Nasal endoscopy is an expensive procedure and is not frequently ordered by doctors. It is however, most frequently used to diagnose chronic sinus infections. The procedure may also be used when a doctor wants to distinguish between sinus infections and allergies. Still, the procedure is usually specifically reserved for patients who suffer from recurrent and chronic symptoms of sinusitis which do not respond to any number of treatments aimed at curing them.
There are cases where nasal endoscopy has been used in combination with other diagnostic procedures like CAT scans. The CAT scan is a non-intrusive procedure where multiple X rays are taken from different positions and angles to create an over all view of the nose structure. When used with the CAT scan, doctors are able to obtain more detailed pictures of the nose, sinus cavities, and the other structures of the head. The sinuses, when viewed in conjunction with the other organs in the head, can help understand the problem in a better manner. Ultimately, the tests are aimed at diagnosing potential causes of recurring rhino-sinusitis.