Not all people have heard that there is such a method of studying the body as an ultrasound of the sinuses. However, it is currently in use. It is a very effective method of examining the state of the human body. Modern medicine does not stand still, it develops, today, through ultrasound of the sinuses, problems with the organ of smell can be diagnosed. This type of research refers to absolutely safe diagnostic methods, but is not widely used in practice in medical institutions. As a rule, most clinics use x-rays to examine the sinuses.
How are the paranasal sinuses examined?
The paranasal sinuses have a good location for ultrasound. They are located between the bones of the skull, namely between the lobes of the facial part. The sinuses of the nose perform resonant and air-bearing functions. The sinuses are the channel in which the cold air gets the right temperature for the body.
There are certain parameters for the sinuses. Through this study, you can see what position they are in, the presence or absence of anypathology. If you conduct an ultrasound of the sinuses of the patient, you can diagnose the type of disease that is present in the body. For example, you can identify sinusitis and other problems.
What does the ultrasound show?
We found out what a sinus ultrasound is. What does this survey show? With it, you can determine the following indicators:
1. What is the condition of the mucous membrane.
2. What are the dimensions of the nasal structures.
3. Are there any formations in the nose that should not be in it. The presence of foreign bodies in the nasal cavities is also diagnosed.
4. Through ultrasound of the maxillary sinuses, it is determined how much fluid is present in the cavity, whether this value is acceptable or not.5. The study shows whether a person has polyps. The presence of a cyst is also established.
As you know, the essence of ultrasound is that ultrasound is reflected from the walls of internal organs, and a picture is displayed on the monitor. The data can only be decoded by an experienced doctor. Modern technology allows you to get a color image. But it is problematic for an ordinary person without special education and experience to decipher the picture. Only an experienced doctor can see what pathological processes occur in the human body, or confirm that they are absent. The picture on the monitor appears due to a special program. It converts the received data from the reflection of ultrasound inside the body.
Indications
In what cases is the patient prescribed an ultrasound of the sinusesnose? If the patient has:
1. Inflammatory processes that occur in the body. These include: rhinitis, frontal sinusitis, adenoiditis and other similar diseases. Ultrasound of the sinuses with sinusitis is also an effective method of examination.
2. Allergic rhinitis.
3. Injuries to the nose or other damage to the nasopharynx of a mechanical nature.
4. The presence of formations such as polyps. Finding any objects of foreign origin in the nose.
5. Nosebleeds for unknown reasons.
6. Inflammation that occurs in the soft tissues of the nose, including a purulent nature.
Also, this examination is prescribed if a cyst is suspected and the presence of any pathological formations in the human nasal cavity. Through the ultrasound of the nose, one can observe whether the treatment process is effective or not.
Echosinusoscopy
You should know that there is an alternative to nasal ultrasound, namely echosinusoscopy. This procedure has no contraindications. It can be done even for children. Echosinusoscopy differs from ultrasound in that it uses a sensor of a different shape. For the procedure, the sensor is attached to the skin in close proximity to the sinuses. When conducting this type of examination, a gel is used. It is suitable for echosinusoscopy. The gel is needed to enhance the effect of imaging through the bones of the human body.
Ifthe procedure is planned to be performed on the child, then he must be psychologically prepared for it. First you need to tell what it is for, then describe the stages of implementation. This is necessary so that the child does not get nervous or panic during the examination.
What are the benefits of ultrasound?
To understand what to do - ultrasound or X-ray of the sinuses, you should know the disadvantages and advantages of these procedures.
Like most examinations, nasal ultrasound has its pros and cons. The main advantage of this method over X-ray is that it is not necessary to calculate what dose of radiation will affect the body. Ultrasound is absolutely harmless. Therefore, if necessary, this type of examination can be repeated without any temporary interruptions. Nasal ultrasound can be performed on children, women who are carrying a child, and during breastfeeding.
Another advantage of this method is that the apparatus has such a device as a doppler. Through it, you can determine the state of the blood flow, whether there is a spasm in the body or not. Doppler also allows you to find out if the patient has any pathological changes in blood vessels, for example, their narrowing. Another advantage of ultrasound of the paranasal sinuses is that no preparation of the patient is required for its conduction.
What are the disadvantages of ultrasound?
Of the minuses, one can name the fact that this procedure is rarely performed in medical institutions. Therefore, there are no specialists with extensive practice. Also, due to the thickness of the nasal septum,there is a possibility of distorting the results of the survey. In this regard, the patient will be assigned additional methods for diagnosis.
What pathological changes in the body can be determined by echosinusoscopy?
This examination method allows you to diagnose the following ailments:
1. Inflammation in the human body.
2. The presence of any formations, namely: polyps, adenoids and others.
3. Allergic reactions of the body with localization in the sinuses.4. The presence of a cyst.
Also, this method allows you to track how a particular disease proceeds, for example, an infection or bacterial genesis.
Through ultrasound, ailments such as boils, lipomas and others are much better visualized. Also, with the help of this examination, you can accurately determine how much fluid is present in the sinuses, namely, within the normal range or not.
What does the doctor evaluate during an ultrasound?
As mentioned above, a doctor using ultrasound can determine not only the state of the human body at the time of the examination, but also how the disease progresses. Thus, it becomes possible to understand how effective the prescribed treatment is.
When conducting an ultrasound, the specialist highlights the following indicators:
1. Presence of any blackouts.
2. What is the size of the sinus, as well as its volume.
3. How thick are the mucous membranesnose.
4. The shape of the sinuses of the nose.
5. Internal protrusion.
6. Amount of fluid.
7. Area of distribution of pathology.8. Shadows.
Indicators are assessed quickly, no longer than ten minutes. Next, the patient is assigned a treatment regimen. It can be conservative or surgical.
