Diseases of the nose: polyps, nasal/septal deformity, sino-nasal cancer

Question 1

What is the name for the study of the nose, including sinuses?

Answer 1

Rhinology.

Question 2

Name the 5 functions of the nose.

Answer 2

Airway
Filtration
Humidification
Temperature Control
Olfaction.

Question 3

When we breathe in, we normally breathe through the ________.

Answer 3

Nose.

Question 4

How does the nose filter?

Answer 4

it filters using:

• The hairs in the nose
• cilia to capture and move bacteria

Question 5

There is an increased rate of secretion to…

Answer 5

Humidify the air.

Question 6

By the time the air reaches the ________________ it will be 100% ________.

Answer 6

Nasopharynx

Humidified (aka. air saturated)

Question 7

By the time the air reaches the nasophraynx, what temperature will it be?

Answer 7

5 degrees below body temperature.

Question 8

What does olfaction mean?

Answer 8

Smell.

Question 9

What sort of patients don’t use their nose like we use it?

Answer 9

Laryngectomy patients- air re-directed so they don’t breathe through nose, they breathe through stoma on neck.

Question 10

What system replaces the filtration, humidification and temperature control of the nose?

Answer 10

HME- Heat and Moisture Exchange system

Question 11

If there is a disease in the nose, what happens?

Answer 11

The function is disrupted.

Question 12

What is a sign that the nose isn’t functioning properly?

Answer 12

Person has a really sore throat and dry mouth because they are breathing through the mouth all the time.

Question 13

A group of bony boxes are referred to as…

Answer 13

Sinuses.

Question 14

What is kept in the sinuses (normally)?

Answer 14

Air

Question 15

How many paranasal sinuses are there?

Answer 15

8.

Question 16

Name the paranasal sinuses.

Answer 16

2 maxillary
2 frontal
2 ethmoidal complexes
2 sphenoid.

Question 17

Theres are _ pairs of paranasal sinuses.

Answer 17

4

Question 18

What is a paranasal sinus?

Answer 18

a hollow, air-filled cavity in the skull that is connected to the nasal airway by a narrow hole in the bone.

Question 19

Name where each sinus is situated:
Frontal
Maxillary
Ethmoid
sphenoid

Answer 19

Behind the brow ridges (forehead).

In the body of the maxilla (cheek area at front of face-below eyes.)

Near the bridge of the nose. (where you’d pinch)

Behind/round the back of eye.

Question 20

What is the main paranasal sinus?

Answer 20

The maxillary sinus.

Question 21

Give some more information about the maxillary sinus.

Answer 21

Pyramid shaped

Largest paranasal sinus.

Question 22

What is sinusitis?

Answer 22

Inflammation of the sinuses.

Question 23

What can sinusitis be a result of?

Answer 23

• sinusitis can be as a result of infection from a virus, bacteria or fungus.
• Allergic reactions eg. asthma

Question 24

What is the most common type of sinusitis?

Answer 24

Acute infective sinusitis .

Question 25

Acute infective sinusitis is usually ________.

Answer 25

Viral.

Question 26

If sinusitis (acute infective) doesn't setttle, what is this known as?

Answer 26

Chronic infective sinusitis.

Question 27

Sinusitis can be as a result of ______ eg.asthma.

Answer 27

allergy.

Question 28

What is produced by the sinuses?

Answer 28

Mucus.

Question 29

Where does the mucus produced by the sinuses normally drain?

Answer 29

It normally drains into the nise through small channels.

Question 30

In sinusitis, what becomes blocked and why?

Answer 30

The small channels to the nose. | because the lining of the sinuses are inflamed

Question 31

When does sinusitis usually occur?

Answer 31

After an upper respiratory tract infection.

Question 32

The symptoms of sinusitis often clear up within a few weeks (_____sinusitis), although occasionally they can last three months or more (_____ sinusitis).

Answer 32

Acute. | Chronic.

Question 33

How is sinusitis treated?

Answer 33

Antibiotic spray/drops. | If no improvement then referred to an ENT specialist who drains the sinuses.

Question 34

What are nasal polyps?

Answer 34

Nasal polyps are swellings of the normal nasal lining that occur inside the nasal passages and sinuses.

Question 35

Why can sinusitis lead to complications?

Answer 35

The infection can spread (cause other areas to become inflamed).

Question 36

Give some examples of the complications sinusitis can cause.

Answer 36

``` Orbital Cellulitis Brain Abscess Meningitis Cavernous sinus thrombosis mucocoele formation ```

Question 37

What is orbital cellulitis?

Answer 37

Inflammation of eye tissues behind the orbital septum. It most commonly refers to an acute spread of infection into the eye socket from the adjacent sinuses.

Question 38

Name this: | A pus-filled swelling in the brain, usually occuring when bacteria or fungi enter the brain tissue after an infection.

Answer 38

A Brain Abcess.

Question 39

What is meningitis?

Answer 39

An infection of the meninges.

Question 40

What is cavernous sinus thrombosis?

Answer 40

A blood clot in the cavernous sinuses.

Question 41

As a result of swelling, often fluid collects, what is a name for this?

Answer 41

Mucocoele Formation.

Question 42

sinusitis can spread and cause...

Answer 42

- blindness - dental problems - obstruct nasal passages (breathing affected) - in severe cases cause nasal bone deterioration.

Question 43

What is a tumour in a paranasal sinus called?

Answer 43

A sino-nasal tumour.

Question 44

Sino-nasal tumours account for ___% of all head and neck cancers.

Answer 44

5

Question 45

The symptoms for a sin-nasal tumour often seem ______.

Answer 45

minor.

Question 46

Bescause the symptoms of sino-nasal cancer seem so innocent/minor, what tends to happen?

Answer 46

It has a very late presentation. | The penny finally drops that it is more than a cold.

Question 47

Why are often the tumours very big without anyone noticing?

Answer 47

Because they have space to grow inside the sinus, it's not until it touches the side of a sinus that it becomes obvious, but at this point it's v. big!

Question 48

What is the prognosis for sino-nasal tumours?

Answer 48

Its generally poor - because its too large and has spread to other tissues aka. at T4/T3 by the time it's discovered.

Question 49

What are some worrying nasal symptoms that may suggest sino-nasal cancer?

Answer 49

- Unilateral blocked nose - Blood stained mucus - Orbit/visual symptoms eg. eyes puffy/swollen, double vision - Cheek swelling - Upper gum/dental problems.

Question 50

What is a unilateral blocked nose?

Answer 50

When the nose is blocked on one side. (

Question 51

What is the problem with having a unilateral blocked nose?

Answer 51

Doctors often give them a nasal spray when in fact they have a tumour!

Question 52

why is head and neck cancer quite good?

Answer 52

It is normally quite contained therefore the tumour can be surgically removed- patient cured completely :)

Question 53

Name an example of a surgery to remove a sino-nasal tumour.

Answer 53

Osteoplastic Flap- peels back face from hair line to remove tumour.