Do you also have a stuffy nose all the time? Or do you have pain on both sides of your forehead and under your eyes due to sinus problems? Sometimes you may suddenly lose your sense of smell. This is a special test that doctors perform to find the exact cause of such persistent discomforts called Nasal Endoscopy. Although the name says 'inserting a camera', is this really something to be afraid of? How is this done? Let's talk about it all in simple terms today.
What is Nasal Endoscopy? Simply put...
Simply put, this is a test to look inside your nasal cavity and the openings to your sinuses. It is sometimes called a rhinoscopy, but they are the same thing.
Think of it like taking a camera down the small passages inside your nose and looking at it. This is done using a thin, long, flexible tube-like instrument. At one end of it is a very small camera and a light that allows you to see clearly. This special instrument is called an endoscope .
The doctor inserts this endoscope into your nose and looks at the inside, such as the membranes inside your nose and sinus openings, on a computer monitor. This allows you to clearly see even the smallest changes inside.
In what cases is a nasal endoscopy performed?
A doctor may decide to perform this test to find the exact cause of certain symptoms you have been experiencing for a long time. This can clearly detect things that a normal test cannot find.
| Cause/symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Loss of smell (Anosmia) | If you suddenly or gradually lose your sense of smell, this is done to look inside your nose to see what's causing it. |
| Facial pain | Look for the cause of sinus-related pain, especially above the eyes, on both sides of the forehead, and in the cheeks. |
| Persistent nasal congestion | If you have a stuffy nose for a long time, without a common cold, check for polyps. |
| Frequent nosebleeds | If you have frequent nosebleeds, make sure to determine whether the cause is an internal injury or another problem. |
| Sinus headaches | Determine the exact cause of your headache caused by a sinus infection. |
| Other causes besides symptoms | |
| For a biopsy test | If there is an abnormal tissue or lump inside the nose or sinuses, remove a small piece of it for examination. |
| For surgery | This is used as a guide when performing sinus surgeries such as FESS (Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery). |
| To remove something stuck in the nose | This method is used to safely remove something, especially a cashew nut, a munchkin leaf, or a piece of a toy, from the nose while playing, especially if the child gets it stuck in their nose. |
Do you need to prepare for this test in advance?
Actually, this doesn't require much special preparation. It's just like going to the clinic to see the doctor. However, there is one important thing.
If you are taking blood thinners, such as Aspirin, Clopidogrel, or Warfarin, be sure to tell your doctor about it beforehand.
Sometimes they will tell you to stop taking the medication for a few days, but that happens very rarely. Other than that, no special preparation is needed.
What happens during the test?
This is a very short test that is done in the outpatient department. The entire test takes a very short time, about one or two minutes. The maximum is five minutes. The most important thing is that you are anesthetized, which means you are not asleep. You are fully awake. So you can talk to the doctor.
The steps of the test are as follows:
1. Nasal decongestant: First, the doctor will spray something like a decongestant spray into your nose to reduce the swelling inside your nose and open up the passages.
2. Nasal numbing: Next, a numbing medication will be sprayed into your nose to help relieve discomfort and pain. This will make your nose feel numb and heavy for a short time.
3. Inserting the endoscope: Now the doctor will carefully insert the thin tube with the camera (endoscope) I mentioned earlier into one of your nostrils. You will feel it as it is inserted. It may also be moved a little further down your throat, until it stops just above your voice box.
4. Examination: At this point, the doctor looks at the monitor and carefully examines the inside of the nose and sinus cavities for any abnormalities, lumps, swelling, or infections.
5. Performing other necessary tasks: If you need to take a biopsy or perform sinus surgery at the same time, you can do those things with the help of this device.
6. Checking the other side: When one side is finished, the monk takes out the instrument from the seeruve, inserts it into the other nostril, and checks that side in the same way.
Does Nasal Endoscopy hurt? No. It is not usually a painful test. Your nose is numb, so you will not feel any pain. However, you may feel a slight pressure when the instrument is inserted.
Because of the numbing spray that was applied to your nose, your mouth and throat may feel numb for a while. Therefore, it is best to avoid eating or drinking for about an hour after the test. Because when your throat is numb, it is possible to choke on something you eat or drink.
What can you expect after the test?
After the test, you may feel a little scratchy or uncomfortable in your nose and throat. You may also experience some bleeding from your nose. This is normal, so don't worry. This discomfort will go away on its own in a day or two.
Follow your doctor's instructions and medications exactly as they are given. You may be asked to repeat the test at another time to see how you are doing.
Are there any risks in this?
Nasal endoscopy is a very safe procedure in most cases. However, as with any medical procedure, there are some rare complications that can occur. For example:
- Allergic reactions can occur to medications used to numb and open the nose.
- Some may feel faint.
- Very rarely, an infection may occur.
These risks depend on your age and other medical conditions, so be sure to talk to your doctor about this before the test.
When will the test results be known?
The best part is that most of the time your doctor will tell you the results as soon as the test is done. Because he sees everything on the screen right away. He can even point to it and explain, "There's something like this inside your nose."
However, if the doctor feels that more information is needed to develop a treatment plan, you may be referred for another test, such as a CT scan .
When should I see the doctor again?
If you have any questions or concerns about this test, please contact your doctor at any time.
In particular, if you experience unbearable pain, fever, or any other unusual symptoms after the test, inform your doctor immediately.
It's normal to feel a little scared when you're told you need to have a test. However, if you have persistent nasal or sinus problems, a nasal endoscopy can help your doctor find the cause and provide the most appropriate treatment. This test, which only takes about five minutes, can tell you a lot about your health.
Take-Home Message
- Nasal Endoscopy is a simple test that uses a thin tube with a camera to look inside the nose and sinuses.
- This is usually not painful, but you may feel a little pressure. Your nose will be numbed before the test.
- This helps to find the cause of things like persistent nasal congestion, loss of smell, and sinus pain.
- The test takes about 5 minutes. No special preparation is required.
- You may experience some discomfort or slight nosebleeds after the test, but this will go away in a day or two. If you experience any fever or severe pain, let your doctor know immediately.
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