Nasal Endoscopy (Nasoendoscopy)
What is Nasal Endoscopy (Nose Scope)?
Nasal endoscopy is also known as nasoendoscopy or nose scope.
It is a diagnostic medical procedure where our ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) doctor uses a thin, tube-like instrument equipped with a light and high resolution camera at the tip to look inside your nasal passages and throat. This allows the doctor to see detailed images of the inside of your nose and throat.
Our ENT doctor is so gentle that the procedure is well tolerated by both adult and children even without local anesthesia. Local anesthesia is optional.
The entire assessment is usually less than a minute, especially in experienced hands.
What is Nasal Endoscopy used for?
Nasal endoscopy is employed for various diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, including:
It can find issues like chronic sinus infections, nasal polyps (non-cancerous growths), tumors, and a deviated septum (when the wall between the nostrils is crooked).
If you have ongoing symptoms like a stuffy nose, frequent nosebleeds, unusual nasal discharge, loss of smell, or facial pain, this procedure helps find out why.
It guides the doctor during treatments, like sinus surgeries, by giving a clear view of the area that needs to be treated.
After treatment, it helps the doctor see how well you’re healing and if there are any new problems.
If something gets stuck in your nose, nasal endoscopy can help the doctor remove it safely.
In summary, nasal endoscopy is a helpful tool that lets doctors see inside your nose and sinuses to diagnose and treat various conditions, making sure you get the right care.
What are the Common Diseases
Detected by ENT Nasal Endoscopy?
Common conditions
in the nose are:
- Allergic rhinitis
- Nasal polyps
- Acute / chronic sinusitis
- Nose bleeding from bleeding vessels or tumour
- Nasopharyngeal carcinoma ie nose cancer
- Deviated nasal septum / Turbinate hypertrophy
Common conditions
in the throat are:
- Pharyngitis
- Laryngitis ( infection of the vocal cords)
- Vocal cord nodules
- Snoring/ sleep apnoea
- Foreign body in the throat
- Laryngopharyngeal reflux ( GERD/gastric reflux)
How is Nasoendoscopy or
Nose Scope Procedure Performed?
Nasal scope procedure can be performed safely in the outpatient or clinic setting. The fine scope is inserted into the nostril to inspect the nasal cavity. It will reach the throat through the nose to inspect the back of the tongue, the throat and the voice box. The entire process will take less than a minute.
ENT Nasal Endoscopy: What are the Side Effects?
Will it cause nausea and vomiting?
Nasal endoscopy is a very safe procedure. It does not cause nausea, induce a gag reflex and vomiting. It almost never cause any bleeding or injury to the structures in the nose or throat. Our experienced ENT doctor has never caused any bleeding in his 20+ years of practice.
During the scope, there may be some itch and mild discomfort. But it is usually well tolerated. Most patients describe a ‘weird’ sensation when the scope passes through their nose.
Occasionally, due to structural deformity, e.g. from deviated nasal septum, local anaesthetic sprays may be given to reduce the discomfort.
Can Nose Scope be Performed on Children?
Yes, nose scope may also be performed safely on children. Our ENT clinic has a thin scope that is suitable to scope very young kids.
Children tends to be frightful during a nose scope procedure. Our child-friendly doctor is gentle and patient with young children. We have a philosophy of not frightening the child during the scope. With our unique approach, we managed to scope almost all children successfully without hurting or frightening the child.
What to Do After a Nasal Endoscopy?
Returning to Normal:
- You will typically feel back to normal soon after a nasal endoscopy. Any unusual sensation in your nose usually doesn’t last long.
Sensitivity or Runny Nose:
- If you have allergic rhinitis or sinus issues, your nose might feel a bit more sensitive or runny. Sometimes, you may also feel slightly stuffy for a short period due to the irritation from the endoscope.
Throat Numbness:
- If a local anesthetic was used, you might experience a bitter taste in your throat. Your throat will feel numb for about 20-30 minutes, but you will not have difficulty breathing.
Swollen Sensation:
- There is no actual swelling; the swollen sensation you might feel is due to the numbness.
Eating and Drinking:
- Avoid hot food to prevent scalding your throat.
- Eat and drink slowly if you need to consume something immediately after the procedure.
- It’s best to eat or drink only after the bitter taste is gone and your throat is no longer numb to avoid any risk of injury.
Can I use Insurance or
Medisave for Nasal Endoscopy?
Yes, for most patients, Medisave or insurance may be used for the fees of the nasoendoscope. Please check with your insurer or insurance agents on the details of your coverage as it may vary according to your policy.
More FAQs
Yes, nasoendoscope can be performed in patient taking blood thinners. You don’t need to stop your blood thinners before the scope.
No fasting is needed before the nasal scope procedure in Singapore.
Yes, a nasal endoscope is done through the nose and extend to the throat. The nasal cavity, back of nose (nasopharynx), the throat and voice box will be visualised and inspected.
Nasoendoscopy are done awake. No sedation is needed. Occasionally local anesthetic sprays may be used to reduce the discomfort or itch associated with the scope.
A nasal endoscopy typical takes less than a minute. It usually takes less than 30 minutes depending on the anatomy and patient’s cooperation.
In children the preparatory process takes longer as our doctor will try to prepare the child psychologically to reduce their anxiety.
Yes, the nasal endoscopy is able to visualise the throat and voice box, hence all forms of tumour in the throat or voice box can be detected via a nose scope.
Nasoendoscopy is typically not painful. Most patients described a ‘weird’ sensation as the scope passes through the nasal cavity to the throat. Patient with uncontrolled nose allergy may experience itch and an urge to sneeze.
There may be some discomfort if the nasal passage is very narrow due to anatomical reasons such as a deviated nasal septum.
Have a question? Call us today
Struggling with nasal or sinus issues? We are here to help you find relief. A nasal endoscopy can quickly diagnose and address your concerns, providing a clear path to better health. Contact us today to schedule your nasoendoscopy and take the first step towards breathing easier and feeling better.