Your first Visit

Nasal Endoscopy How we look into your nose / sinuses?
When you come to CSI with a nose or sinus related problem, the doctors may want to perform a nasal endoscopy. This is a surgical procedure using sterile small cameras to look through the nostrils. This may allow your doctor to:
• obtain drainage for culture
• evaluate previous surgery, scar, openings, masses, polyps, causes of blockage
• evaluate healing or complications of surgery
• obtain specimens / biopsy for pathology evaluation
• remove old blood, foreign material, packing, scabs/scar/blockage
• educate you and others: We can use video glasses / TV screens to show inside also

The nurse will have you sign a permission form first then offer to spray your nose to make the procedure easier. The spray is a combination of Afrin (to shrink tissue) and Lidocaine (to numb). This spray does taste bad and can cause teeth/throat numbness that wears off in about 20-30 minutes. Some patients have a sensation that they can't swallow also- do not panic - this will pass.

Two words you need to remember during this procedure:
"Ouch": allows us to know where it is tender
"Sneeze": allows us to get outta there fast.

A few patients experience significant discomfort/pressure during the procedure.
The video glasses/ TV Screens allow you to see and can decrease the anxiety related to this. Less than 5% of patients faint/get queasy also - called a vasovagal reflex - we will put these patients chairs back and allow them to relax for a few minutes and this goes away.

Imaging
Common treatments used after the first visit