Nasal endoscopy is a test to view the inside of the nose and sinuses to check for problems.

The test takes about 5 to 10 minutes. Your health care provider will:

• Spray your nose with a medicine to reduce swelling and numb the area.
• Insert the nasal endoscope into your nose. This is a long flexible or rigid tube with a camera at the end to look inside the nose and sinuses. Pictures may be projected onto a screen.
• Examine the inside of your nose and sinuses.
• Remove polyps, mucus, or other masses from the nose or sinuses.

• This test does not hurt.
• You may feel discomfort or pressure as the tube is put into your nose.
• The spray numbs your nose. It can numb your mouth and throat, and you may feel like you cannot swallow. This numbness goes away in 20 to 30 minutes.
• You might sneeze during the test. If you feel a sneeze coming on, let your provider know.

You may have a nasal endoscopy to figure out what is causing problems in your nose and sinuses.

During the procedure, your provider may:

• Look at the inside of your nose and sinuses
• Take a sample of tissue for a biopsy
• Do small surgeries to remove polyps, excess mucus, or other masses
• Your provider may recommend nasal endoscopy if you are having:
• A lot of sinus infections
• Lots of drainage from your nose
• Face pain or pressure
• Sinus headaches
• A hard time breathing through your nose
• Nose bleeds
• Loss of sense of smell

The inside of the nose and bones look normal.

Nasal endoscopy helps with the diagnosis of:

• Polyps
• Blockages
• Sinusitis
• Swollen and runny nose that will not go away
• Nasal masses or tumors
• A foreign object (like a marble) in the nose or sinus
• Deviated septum (many insurance plans require a nasal endoscopy prior to surgery to correct it)