CM- Nose, SInuses, Mouth, Larynx Flashcards
For the physical exam of the nose, what are the external examinations and internal examinations performed?
External:
- dorsum- look for gross deviations, crepitus (popping under skin), step-offs btw bone edges
- palpate sinuses- inflammation causes tenderness
Internal:
- Mucousa
- Septum- if widened–>septum hematoma
- Turbinates
For nasal exam, what are the 3 techniques the examiner can choose from?
- Nasal speculum with head mirror
- otoscope
- endoscope with fiberoptic light source
In a nasal exam, what is sometimes sprayed into the nose?
What is the benefit and what is the drawback?
Vasoconstrictor (phenylephrine)
Benefit:
1. shrinks turbinates so more light can enter the nasal cavity
2. can visualize MORE turbinates. W/o you may only see inferior
Drawback:
Changes the patients baseline nasal congestion
What is the only way the superior turbinate can be seen in a physical examination of the nose?
With a sinus endoscope
What is rhinophyma?
Hypertrophy of sebaceous tissue on nasal skin producing bulbous projections from the nasal tip
On physical exam of the nose, what 4 possible findings are associated with the septum?
- deviation
- hematoma
- perforation (Wegener’s, cocaine)
- Telangiectasia
On physical exam of the nose, what 3 possible findings are associated with the nostril?
- foreign bodies
- polyp- translucent white/yellow mass
- Neoplasm
On physical exam of the nose, what findings are associated with the turbinates?
- dry, crusty, engorged mucosa
2. red, pink, blue-tinged
On physical exam, what findings are associated with the face?
- tenderness around sinuses
2. edema
What is the technique for examining the sinuses on physical exam?
- palpate frontal and maxillary
- endoscope for maxillary, ant. ethmoid, frontal outflow
- CT scan
In addition to the physical exam, what ancillary studies can be helpful when examining the nose?
When is each warranted?
- CT:
- chronic sinusitis to see if there is need for surgery
- bony structures (sinuses, skull base) - MRI:
- concerned about a mass or destructive process
- soft tissue (encephalocele, etc)
What tools are needed to perform a proper examination of the mouth?
How should the patient be positioned?
Light source, 2 tongue depressors
The patient should be positioned at eye level
What should be inspected during a mouth exam?
- general condition of mucosa (dry, red, friable, tender, lesions)
- Status of dentition (teeth missing, dentures, caries)
- Subunits
- Salivary ducts and flow
What should be palpated in the examination of the mouth?
- tongue
- floor of the mouth
- sulci
- submandibular gland
In addition to the physical exam of the mouth, what ancillary studies can be done?
What are the indications for each?
- X-ray- dental exam, nasopharyngeal/retropharyngeal processes, foreign bodies
- CT with contrast - FIRST CHOICE for oral cavity, oropharyngeal masses/ infections
- MRI- better soft tissue details (depth of invasion of a tongue mass)
- Swallow studies
What is the first choice technique for imaging OC/OP masses and infectious processes?
CT with contrast because they give soft tissue and bony detail
(ex. mass abutting the mandible and you want to know if there is bony invasion)
What are the 3 ways to examine the larynx on physical exam?
What tools are needed for each?
Which is most common?
- mirror laryngoscopy:
- head mirror, angled mirror at back of throat
- gauze
- light source - ** fiberoptic laryngoscopy:
- light source
- fiberoptic scope
- decongestant - direct laryngoscopy
- laryngoscope
- light source
- anesthesia
Why are fiberoptic laryngoscopies more common than direct?
Direct require anesthesia and the patient will not be able to phonate for you so you cannot assess function/mobility of the vocal cords
What is evaluated in the laryngeal exam? (5)
- mucosal appearance
- Patency of the airway (glottis chick >4mm)
- Movement of the cords (“EEE”)
- Mucousal lesions/ masses
- neck palpation- cartilage tenderness may indicate infection, muscle tenderness may indicate muscle strain or tension dysphonia
What ancillary studies can be done to assess the larynx?
- Lateral X-ray films show narrowing of airway or thickening of epiglottis (epiglottitis)
- AP X-ray for croup (harsh barking cough)
- CT/MRI for neoplasms/stenosis
- Barium swallow for dysphagia
What is rhinitis medicamentosa?
How can it be prevented?
A condition caused by dependence on nasal decongestants like aphrin and neosynephrine.
Tachyphylaxis (decrease in response to drug) occurs and the nose becomes even more congested than before.
This can be avoided by limiting the use of decongestant sprays to only 3 days at a time
What are the 3 main situations where you would have clear rhinorrhea?
- allergic rhinitis
- viral rhinitis
- in the setting of trauma, CSF leakage
What are the 3 ways you can tell the rhinorrhea is CSF and not viral/allergic rhinitis?
- CSF has a higher glucose content
- B-2-transferrin is in CSF not mucus
- “ring sign”- when dropped on a paper towel, blood goes to the middle and CSF forms a clear peripheral ring
What clinical situations would you be likely to see thick, green, foul-smelling rhinorrhea?
- chronic sinusitis
2. foreign body that has been in the nose several days
What clinical situations are associated with facial pain, pressure and headache?
- Acute sinusitis (maxillary sinusitis even causes paresthesia of upper teeth)
- allergic rhinitis
- Chronic sinusitis (intermittent)
What is the clinical presentation of someone with CSF rhinorrhea?
They have just been in trauma and have clear rhinorrhea. Make sure it is not mucus by: 1. glucose test 2. B-2-transferrin test 3. Ring sign
What is the clinical presentation of allergic rhinitis?
- clear rhinorrhea
- coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, palatal pruritis
- congestion due to inflammation of nasal mucosa