Nasal Endoscopy at Leicester Hospital

What is nasal endoscopy?

Nasal endoscopy is a procedure to look at t the inside of your nose, the back of your mouth, your throat and your voice box, using a thin, flexible telescope (endoscope).

What are the benefits of a nasal endoscopy?

If your consultant is concerned that you may have a problem in your ear, nose or throat, they may recommend a nasal endoscopy. You might need a nasal endoscopy if you have:

• Nasal congestion
• Nasal blockage
• Nasal and sinus infection (rhinosinusitis)
• Pain around your eyes and sinuses
• Nosebleeds
• Nasal polyps
• Nasal tumours
• Loss of ability to smell
• Cerebrospinal fluid leak

Nasal endoscopy may also be used to remove a foreign object from the nose or obtain a tissue sample for a biopsy.

What happens during a nasal endoscopy?

Before the procedure

No specific preparation is required. You can eat and drink normally before the procedure.

During the procedure

A nasal endoscopy will be performed while you are awake. Your consultant will spray a decongestant and local anaesthetic to numb the area.

Your consultant will ask you sit upright and ask you to tilt your head back slightly. Your consultant will place an endoscope inside your nose. They will either look through an eyepiece or connect the endoscope to a television screen in order to view the images. Depending on your symptoms, they will direct the endoscope into the back of your mouth, throat and voice box. They may ask you to stick out your tongue, blow out your cheeks and say certain words to test your voice box.

The procedure is not painful but your eyes may water and you may feel some discomfort. Nasal endoscopy is very quick. It usually takes between 1 and 2 minutes.

Recovery from a nasal endoscopy

You should be able to go home and return to normal activities straight away. If you had a local anaesthetic do not eat or drink for at least the first hour.