Nasal Endoscopy and Otoendoscopy - Indications, Benefits, and Risk Involved

Introduction

Nasal and otoendoscopy are the procedures that aid in diagnosing and treating certain conditions. The duration needed to take an endoscopy is approximately one to two minutes. The procedures also rule out the cause of the symptoms, which helps decide a proper treatment plan. Endoscopy generally refers to looking inside the body using an endoscope for medical reasons.

What Is Nasal Endoscopy?

• Nasal endoscopy is a diagnostic procedure for viewing nasal and sinus passages. It is performed by using endoscopes.

• An endoscope is a thin tube composed of a camera and light. It can be a flexible or rigid tube. The choice of the tube depends upon the procedure being done.

• An otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat) frequently does this procedure for diagnostic purposes.

• The sinuses refer to the spaces formed by joining the bones. This is the air-filled space behind the nose.

What Are the Indications of Nasal Endoscopy?

Nasal endoscopy is indicated in a few conditions, including -

• Rhinosinusitis (nasal and sinus inflammation or infection).

• Headache.

• Facial pain above the eyes and around the sinuses.

• Chronic nosebleeds.

• Anosmia (loss of smell).

• Nasal congestion or blockage.

• Cerebrospinal fluid leakage.

• As a treatment option for removing a foreign object from the child’s nose.

• To obtain a sinus culture or tissue sample for biopsy.

• To do minimally invasive surgery in treating sinus infections, nasal tumors, and nasal polyps.

What Are the Preparations Before Nasal Endoscopy?

• Stop taking any medications before the procedure as per the advice provided by the healthcare professional.

• A person should be able to eat or drink normally before the procedure.

• If required, a topical decongestant is sprayed into the nose just before the procedure. This helps reduce the swelling and allows the endoscope to pass through the nasal cavity and sinuses smoothly.

• Along with the decongestant, an anesthetic is sprayed to numb the nose. In some cases, a person may also need an anesthetic shot.

• The duration of endoscopy can take up to one to two minutes to complete the procedure.

How to Perform Nasal Endoscopy?

The nasal endoscopy procedure is as follows:

• Nasal endoscopy is performed by inserting the endoscope into the nose.

• A healthcare provider then guides it through the nose and the sinus passages.

• A clear picture of the nasal and sinus passages is seen through the endoscope, which helps diagnose and treat the health conditions.

• Position - A person should sit upright in the examination chair.

• Once the numbing procedure is done, the healthcare provider inserts the endoscope into one side of the nose.

• If the patient feels uncomfortable during insertion, more anesthetic medicine is administered, or the procedure is continued with a smaller nasal endoscope.

• The healthcare provider pushes the endoscope forward to look into a part of the nasal cavity or sinuses in one nostril.

• This step is carried out two or more times on the same side of the nose. On each attempt, slightly different parts of the nasal cavity and sinuses are noted.

• The same procedure is done on the other side of the nose.

• In the requirement of the tissue samples, through the endoscope, a part of the tissue is removed and sent to a laboratory to confirm the diagnosis.

What Are the Risks of Nasal Endoscopy?

Nasal endoscopy procedure is generally a safe procedure, but it may have rare complications, and these include-

• Fainting.

• Nosebleed.

• The use of decongestants or anesthetics may produce harmful reactions in some people.

• People taking blood thinners for bleeding disorders are at greater risk for bleeding.

• Rarely, an infection may develop in some cases following nasal endoscopy.

Is Nasal Endoscopy a Painful Procedure?

• A person can only feel the pressure during the procedure, not the pain.

• A numbing spray can numb the nose, mouth, and throat, which may produce a bitter taste.

• The numbness usually goes away in around thirty minutes.

• Post nasal endoscopy, a slight soreness in the nose and throat can be observed, which usually resolves on its own within two days.

What Are the Post-nasal Endoscopy Procedures Involved?

• To avoid injury, it is safe to not eat or drink for an hour after the endoscopy procedure.

• Additional instructions are provided by the healthcare professional regarding medicines and follow-ups.

• In a few cases, future appointments are given to monitor the progress.

What Can A Nasal Endoscopy Detect?

A nasal endoscopy diagnoses the following conditions:

• Nasal congestion and blockage.

• Sinusitis.

• Nasal polyps.

• Nasal tumors.

• Deviated nasal septum.

• Recurrent nosebleeds.

• Allergic rhinitis.

• Finding foreign bodies.

What Is Otoendoscopy?

Otoendosopy refers to the procedure that involves endoscopy of the ear. It is done by inserting a rigid endoscope into the ear to evaluate the exterior and middle portions of the ear. It is performed with an instrument called otoendoscopy, a short rigid telescope connected to a fiber optic light source for illumination.

What Are the Benefits of Otoendoscopy?

• Otoendoscopy provides a view of the whole tympanic membrane and the ear canal without intervention.

• During trans canal procedures, it allows for enlargement of the operative field, which quickly helps view the structures hidden under the microscope.

• It also helps in viewing the ear canal structures from multiple angles.

• It helps to receive a clear and sharp-quality image with high resolution.

• The duration of the procedure and post-operative pain are reduced.

• It also helps in the removal of tissue samples for biopsy.

• It helps visualize the condition of the ossicles, tympanic membrane, middle ear mucosa, and the eustachian tube orifice by passing the endoscope through the perforated ear drum.

• There is no auricular displacement or numbness, a common side effect of postauricular incisions.

What Are the Procedures Performed Using Oto Endoscopy?

Various procedures are performed using otoendoscopy, and these include-

• Removal of epithelial debris.

• Removal of otomycosis flakes.

• Removal of foreign bodies.

• Removal of aural polyps.

• Removal of necrosed metal flaps.

• Promotion of epithelialization in case of delayed onset of epithelialization.

• Lowering of the high facial ridge.

• Removal of granulation tissues using crocodile forceps and suction.

What Are the Disadvantages of Otoendoscopy?

• Blood smearing on the tip of the otoendoscopy occurs during any procedure.

• Fogging of the endoscope's lens happens, which can easily be managed with an anti-fog solution.

Conclusion

Naso and otoendoscopy is a useful technology that is most frequently performed for various procedures and conditions. Otoendoscopy is considered to make a revolution in diagnosing and treating several problems related to the ear. Both endoscopy procedures are very effective and successful in their respective fields.