Approach Considerations
The steps of flexible rhinoscopy are described below.
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While the anesthesia is allowed to take effect, the flexible scope should be focused and adequate lighting should be confirmed
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Defog is then applied to the tip of the scope, and lubricant may also be applied to the shaft
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The scope is placed along the floor of the nasal vault
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The septum and inferior turbinate are evaluated first
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Any septal deviation or spurs should be noted
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Turbinate hypertrophy or atrophy is documented
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If the rhinoscopy is being performed for recurrent epistaxis, the Kiesselbach plexus (located on the anterior inferior septum and represents the confluence of the anterior ethmoid artery, greater palatine artery, sphenopalatine artery, and septal branch of the superior labial artery) should be carefully examined; anterior nosebleeds frequently originate from this area
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Following anterior inspection, the scope should gently be advanced posteriorly toward the nasopharynx
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If endoscopy is being performed for epistaxis, the area of Woodruff plexus (located at the posterior aspect of the inferior meatus) is examined; [10] this is the source for many posterior nosebleeds since it is composed of large, thin-walled veins
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The scope is taken posteriorly to the nasopharynx, where the nasopharyngeal mucosa, eustachian tube orifice, and fossa of Rosenmüller are examined
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The sphenoid rostrum may also be visualized, and the presence of purulent drainage or polyposis should be noted
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The scope is then gently withdrawn and placed above the inferior turbinate to view the middle turbinate; the size of the turbinate is noted as well as any mucosal changes, crusting, edema, purulence, or polypoid degeneration; in postoperative patients, the turbinate may be lateralized, medialized, or absent
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Synechiae can also be seen in postoperative patients
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The true maxillary ostium should be hidden behind the uncinate process, so any ostia that are visualized are likely accessory ostia
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A mass arising from the middle meatus should raise the suspicion of an inverted papilloma
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Visualization superoposteriorly is typically limited by the ethmoid complex unless the patient has had prior sinus surgery; in these cases, the ethmoid labyrinth should be examined for the presence of synechiae, polypoid degeneration, residual air cells, and any other masses/lesions
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The cribriform area should be inspected medial to the middle turbinate; this is the location of the olfactory epithelium and may be a site for neoplasms, encephaloceles, and other pathology
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The procedure is then repeated in the contralateral nasal passage
Pathology and appearance
See the list below:
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Conditions and their pathologic appearance are as follows:
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Nasal polyposis - Pale, smooth, glistening, grape like, bilateral
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Inverted papilloma - Flesh colored, unilateral, lateral nasal wall
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Malignancy - Friable, unilateral, exophytic, and/or ulcerated mass
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Wegener’s granulomatosis - Friable mucosa, ulcerated septal perforation
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Tuberculosis - Crusting, septal perforation
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Sarcoidosis - Friable mucosa, crusting, submucosal nodularity
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Rhinoscleroma - Purulent rhinorrhea, nodules, blue/red mucosa
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Concha bullosa - Enlarged middle turbinate
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Synechiae - Scar band
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Example of flexible rhinoscopy through the left nasal passage.