Endoscopy is a diagnostic medical procedure that’s minimally invasive. Physicians use it to view interior surfaces of a tissue or organ, allowing them access to certain cavities of the body they normally can’t see while performing a standard examination procedure.
Nasal endoscopy, also referred to as Rhinoscopy, is typically performed in an otolaryngologist’s or ear, nose, and throat office where they have a direct, high-quality and magnified vision as they evaluate your sinus and nasal passages.

The single-use Ambu Rhino-Laryngoscope is a fine flexible (non-rigid) tube that is inserted via the nose to visualise and photodocument the appearance of the whole of the upper aero-digestive tract. This includes the nose, pharynx (throat) and larynx (voice-box), as well as allow images to be taken from inside the mouth and ear canal openings. That means there needs to be mention that flexible nasendoscopy is used also for investigating causes for voice, swallow, airway and snoring symptoms additonally.

A classic  nasal endoscope is an instrument that consists of a rigid, thin tube with fiber-optic cables. It connects to a video camera and light source where magnified images project onto a screen. The otolaryngologist then captures and records the endoscopic images to document for each patient.

The procedure helps with diagnosing and treating different health conditions. Sometimes, the physician may use small tools to perform certain tasks like gathering tiny tissue samples.

The endoscopy can show specific details, such as the site of bleeding and swelling of nasal tissue. It can also be used to look at a growth that might be cancer. It also give information abour problems such as :

• Nasal congestion / Blockage
• Nasal and sinus infection (rhinosinusitis)
• Nasal polyps
• Nasal tumors
• Loss of ability to smell
• Cerebrospinal fluid leak

In some cases, a nasal endoscopy can be used as a treatment. For example, it may be done on a child to remove a foreign object from his or her nose.
Your provider might also advise endoscopy to see how a treatment for a nose or sinus problem is working. For example, it can show if nasal polyps have shrunk.

Rhinosinusitis is one of the most common reasons for nasal endoscopy. You may have symptoms such as nasal blockage, yellow or greenish fluid from your nose, and facial pain. Your healthcare provider can use the endoscope to look for swelling and polyps. He or she may collect pus from the infected area. This can help show what is causing an infection and how best to treat it.

A healthcare provider may use a nasal endoscope to do minimally invasive surgery. This is done in a hospital or surgery center. It can treat conditions such as sinus infection, nasal polyps, and nasal tumors. The surgery is done with very small tools, and does not need an external cut (incision).

The advantages with respect to the traditional technique are multiple:

• No feeling of suffocating.

• No feeling of gagging or vomiting.

• No feeling of constriction.

• Possibility of speaking or swallowing freely during the examination.

• Painless.

• No need to take any medications.

• During the endoscopic exploration, which lasts about 3 minutes, the patient can converse with the doctor and breathe normally through the mouth. The reduced emotional tension and the short duration of the endoscopic exam means that sedation is not required, making the procedure safer.

Nasal endoscopy is generally safe. But it may have rare complications such as:

• Nosebleed.

• Fainting.

• Harmful reaction to the decongestant or anesthetic.

• You may be at greater risk for bleeding if you have a bleeding disorder or if you take a blood thinner. Your own risks may vary according to your age and your other health conditions. Ask your healthcare provider about the risks that most apply to you.