Before nasal endoscopy, the doctor may spray the nose with a decongestant and local anesthesia to reduce the congestion and widen the area while stopping the patient from sneezing or discomfort. The patient may return home on the same day after the procedure. A doctor may recommend nasal endoscopy if the patient is having:
- Sinus infections
- Constant drainage from the nose
- Face pain or pressure
- Sinus headaches
- Breathing difficulties, such as shortness of breath
- Nose bleeds
- Loss of sense of smell
- Difficulty or inability to swallow
- Voice hoarseness
- A longstanding history of smoking
- Suspected vocal fold lesions
- Tumor surveillance
- To correct a deviated nasal septum
During the procedure, the doctor may:
- Look at the inside of your nose and sinuses
- Take a sample of tissue for a biopsy
- Conduct small surgeries to remove polyps, excess mucus, or other masses
- Remove a foreign object (like a marble) in the nose or sinus
If your doctor takes a tissue biopsy or performs any small procedure, the patient may have mild to moderate pain, which is usually controlled by anesthesia and painkillers. There is a little risk following a nasal endoscopy for most people. They are:
- If the patient has a bleeding disorder or takes blood-thinning medicine, the doctor should be notified so that they are extra careful to decrease bleeding.
- If the patient has heart disease, there is a small risk that they may feel lightheaded or faint.
How is nasal endoscopy performed?
Nasal endoscopy is performed by an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) surgeon using foot-long equipment, such as a cable-lens. The procedure may take less than 15 minutes; however, if there is any additional surgery required, it may last for 45 minutes. During the procedure, the doctor may:
- Spray your nose with a medicine to reduce swelling and numb the area. Insert the flexible or rigid tube with a camera at the end to look inside the nose and sinuses. Pictures may be projected onto a screen. The doctor may examine the inside of the nose and sinuses and remove pre-existing polyps, mucus, or other masses from the nose or sinuses during endoscopy.
Is the recovery after nasal endoscopy painful?
The recovery time and pain stimulus vary from patient to patient. The recovery is far less painful than traditional sinus surgery, which requires nasal packing. Some patients report no pain and minimal swelling, most have a little pain, and patients can return to their usual activities without any discomfort. Others report having minor, tolerable discomfort and very few have complained that they have significant pain. Most say it feels like a cold with sinus pressure. Your doctor may prescribe pain medication that will alleviate any pain. The patient may recover completely within 3-7 days depending on the type of procedure.
QUESTION
What percentage of the human body is water? See AnswerTop When should a nasal fracture be reduced? Related Articles
cocaine
Cocaine is an ester anesthetic used topically to numb the mucous membranes of the oral, nasal and laryngeal cavities during procedures or surgeries in or through the nasal cavities. Common side effects from systemic absorption of cocaine include high blood pressure (hypertension), rapid heart rate (tachycardia), sinus tachycardia, slow heart rate (bradycardia), ECG abnormalities, irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia), and others. Cocaine is a highly addictive substance, and misuse/abuse of cocaine can lead to dependence, addiction, overdose, convulsions, unconsciousness, coma, and death.comfrey
Comfrey leaves, roots, and rhizomes have been traditionally used for varied medicinal purposes such as local application for skin ulcers, joint and muscle pains, fractures, and osteoarthritis. Common side effects of comfrey include liver damage, liver enlargement, veno-occlusive disease, decrease in urine output, lethargy, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and loss of appetite (anorexia). Comfrey contains toxic compounds that can cause liver and lung injury. Do not take if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
How Long Does It Take to Recover From a Fractured Growth Plate?
Growth plates are the areas of new bone growth in children and teens. Bone fractures in children heal quickly as compared to adults, but fractures of the growth plate may require several weeks to heal.ipratropium
Ipratropium is a medication used to relieve runny nose and nasal inflammation (rhinitis) caused by colds and allergies, and as a bronchodilator to relieve bronchospasm and ease breathing in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Common side effects of intranasal ipratropium include headache, upper respiratory tract infection (URI), nasal bleeding (epistaxis), throat inflammation (pharyngitis), and others. Common side effects of intranasal ipratropium include bronchial inflammation (bronchitis), exacerbation of COPD, sinus inflammation (sinusitis), shortness of breath (dyspnea), cough, flulike symptoms, back pain, and others.
Nasal Irrigation
Clogged sinuses and congestion bothering you? Nasal irrigation can relieve sinus symptoms associated with colds and allergies. Learn how to do nasal irrigation with this visual guide from WebMD.
All About Polyps
Do you know what a polyp is? Learn the definition of a polyp, which can be found in the sinuses, stomach, colon, gallbladder, and elsewhere. Learn about endometrial polyps, adenomatous polyps, sessile polyps, pedunculated polyps, uterine polyps, and cervical polyps. Some are more likely to cause cancer.sodium chloride - intranasal spray (Ocean, Ayr Saline, Humist, NaSal, Little Noses, Ocean)
Sodium chloride intranasal spray (Ocean, Ayr Saline, Humist, NaSal, Little Noses, Ocean for Kids) is an over-the-counter (OTC) product used to relieve nasal dryness and congestion. Sodium chloride intranasal spray also is used as a pretreatment for nasal steroid administration. Common side effects include:
- Cough
- Nose irritation
- Sneezing
Drug interactions, dosage, and pregnancy and breastfeeding information should be reviewed prior to using any OTC product.
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What are the four types of bone fractures? Learn the signs of bone fractures and how doctors treat them.
What Your Nose Says About Your Health
Do you smell something no one else does? Is it hard to breathe? Different conditions affect smell and breathing. Use this WebMD slideshow to help you learn what your nose says about health.