Year by year, diagnostic medical techniques are being improved to provide timely and most complete assistance to the patient. Qualified ENT specialists are increasingly using nasal endoscopy in their practice. This procedure makes it possible to establish an accurate diagnosis based on the examination data. Before the examination, the patient may have questions. To exclude unnecessary experiences, we will try to reveal the essence of the procedure.
What is this?
An endoscope is a light-conducting device with fiber optics. The device looks like a thin rigid or flexible tube, the thickness of which does not exceed 4 mm. Flashlight and camera on one end, eyepiece on the other. Endoscopy is the ability to examine some of the internal organs by inserting an endoscope into the cavity. It is administered through natural routes or by puncture. Nasal endoscopy - examination with a thin endoscope through the nose.
Why is this needed?
The examination is carried out to achieve the following goals:
- detecting the presence of pathologies of the paranasal sinuses;
- identifying the presence or absence of pathologies of the nasal septum;
- monitoring the presence or absence of the effect of medical procedures;
- detection of tumors, the presence of foreign bodies, the presence of wounds in the nasal cavities (microsurgical manipulations to eliminate them);
- collecting secretions for bacteriological research;
- monitoring the condition of ENT organs after operations;
- treatment of wound surfaces and elimination of obstructions for drainage of the sinuses of the nose;
- determining the state of the mucous membrane of the nasal passages, the size of the conchas of the nose, the structure of the content;
- the most accurate diagnosis of major ENT diseases.
When is nasal and nasopharyngeal endoscopy indicated?
An otolaryngologist prescribes an endoscopy to a patient in many cases. A doctor can conduct such an examination when contacting:
- with a nosebleed of unknown origin;
- sinusitis;
- runny nose;
- polyposis;
- changes in the nasal septum;
- injuries to the face and skull;
- unexplained headaches;
- during the rehabilitation period after rhinoplasty or other interventions.
So, for example, with sinusitis, endoscopy of the sinuses helps to determine which departments are affected by the inflammatoryprocess. And if you suspect the presence of polyps or minor tumors, the doctor decides on surgical endoscopy. As you understand, the price for nasal endoscopy of varying complexity will differ. It can be from 450 to 3500 rubles. The exact cost must be checked with the specialist who will carry out the procedure.
Preparation for manipulation
No special preparation of the patient is required before endoscopy. The doctor may irrigate the mucosa with a vasoconstrictor drug to reduce swelling. This will increase the view during the manipulation.
Does it hurt or not?
Most of all, patients are nervous because they are afraid of pain. To avoid pain, the doctor irrigates the mucous membrane with a local anesthetic. If minimally invasive surgery is planned, then general anesthesia can be used.
If the patient has wide nasal passages, then the doctor can perform a routine examination with a thin endoscope without the use of anesthesia. In addition, nasal and nasopharyngeal endoscopy can be performed without anesthesia for severe allergic reactions to anesthetics.
How is the procedure?
Inspection begins with inspection of the lower nasal passage. Then the endoscope is passed to the nasopharynx and its thorough examination is performed. The mouth of the auditory tube and choana is also examined. The next step is to examine the sphenoidal pocket, upper and middle nasal passages.
Features of nasal endoscopy in children
Doctors are surethat this type of examination is the most effective in diagnosing a child. The most difficult thing about performing a nasal endoscopy in children is to keep them calm and still. To do this, before starting the procedure, the doctor talks with a small patient, explaining to him that the procedure is fast, it will be a little unpleasant, but not painful. The main thing is to convince the child that it is impossible to break out, twitch and scream so as not to interfere with the doctor. In many cases, nasal endoscopy for children is performed in the hands of the parents. This makes them feel calmer.
Is it necessary…
Sometimes patients question the need for a nasal endoscopy. However, it should be borne in mind that when examining with a conventional expander and a mirror, the doctor cannot get a complete picture. In order not to be mistaken in the diagnosis and not to prescribe unnecessary drugs, the doctor needs to perform an examination with an endoscope. In addition, this will allow timely detection of the appearance of neoplasms, notice the curvature of the septum and assess the state of the adenoids.
Polyp removal
A nasal polyp is formed when histamine and inflammatory mediators are released, which destroy the mucous membrane, while swelling and changes in glandular tissues occur. Endoscopy of nasal polyps has replaced mechanical removal with a metal wire loop. Thanks to modern advances, the doctor can expand the fistulas of the sinuses and remove the polyposis tissue as much as possible. At the same time, the invasiveness of the manipulation is significantly reduced, the surgeon can visually assess the progress of the procedure by watching it on the monitor, the patient willdischarged from the hospital after 3-5 days.
It should be borne in mind that endoscopy of nasal polyps does not eliminate the cause of the growth of polyposis tissue. The patient should continue the treatment of the underlying disease, otherwise the problem will return in a few years. Previously, when mechanically removed, polyps grew again much faster.
Contraindications for endoscopy
Examination with an endoscope does not worsen the patient's condition, therefore, there are no special contraindications. The only difficulty is an allergy to anesthesia. Be sure to warn the doctor about nosebleeds and high sensitivity. In this case, the procedure will be carried out with an ultra-thin (children's) apparatus.
