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What is nasal endoscopy?

Nasal endoscopy (en-dah-skuh-pee) is a procedure used to look at the inside of your nasal cavity and openings to your sinus passage. Your healthcare provider inserts an endoscope (a long tube with a camera and a light) into your nose to examine your nasal and sinus region. The camera captures video images and projects them onto a screen.

Is rhinoscopy the same as nasal endoscopy?

Yes. The terms “rhinoscopy” (ry-naw-skuh-pee) and “nasal endoscopy” are interchangeable.

When is nasal endoscopy needed?

Your healthcare provider may recommend nasal endoscopy if you have:

Nasal congestion or blockage.

Rhinosinusitis (nasal and sinus inflammation or infection).

Headaches.

Facial pain above your eyes and around your sinuses.

Chronic nosebleeds.

Nasal polyps.

Nasal tumors.

Anosmia (loss of sense of smell).

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak (a rare condition in which the clear fluid that surrounds your brain escapes through a hole or tear in connective tissues).

Nasal endoscopy is also used for certain procedures, including:

Obtaining a sinus culture or tissue sample (biopsy).

Removing a foreign object from a child’s nose.

Treating sinus infections, nasal polyps and nasal tumors.

How the Test is Performed?

The test takes about 1 to 5 minutes. Your health care provider will:

Spray your nose with a medicine to reduce swelling and numb the area.

Insert the nasal endoscope into your nose. This is a long flexible or rigid tube with a camera at the end to look inside the nose and sinuses. Pictures may be projected onto a screen.

Examine the inside of your nose and sinuses.

Remove polyps, mucus, or other masses from the nose or sinuses.