Nasal Blockage

Question 1

What can cause septal deviation?

Answer 1

1. Trauma
2. Infection
3. Inflammatory conditions
4. Congenital

Question 2

How do we fix a deviated septum?

Answer 2

Septoplasty

Question 3

What are the risks involved in septoplasty surgery?

Answer 3

1. Bleeding
2. Infection
3. Failure to improve symptoms
4. Numbness to the upper teeth
5. Anosmia/hyposmia
6. Needing further surgery
7. Nose numbness
8. Altered appearance
9. Septal perforation

Question 4

What is RAST testing?

Answer 4

Radioallergosorbent test - this blood test identifies any allergies to specific antigens

Question 5

How would you manage a patient with chronic rhinosinusitis without polyps wiht an identified allergy?

Answer 5

1. Saline nasal irrigation
2. Topical nasal steroid
3. Antihistamine

Question 6

What are the risks of functional endoscopic sinus surgery?

Answer 6

1. Hyposmia/anosmia
2. Infection
3. Synechiae (adhesions in the nasal cavity)
4. Blindness (optic nerve damage)
5. Orbital injury
6. Recurrence
7. Meningitis
8. CSF leak
9. Epiphora (damage to the nasolacrimal duct causing watering of the eye)
10. Bleeding

Question 7

What is FESS?

Answer 7

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery

Question 8

How do we try to reduce the risk of recurrence of nasal polyps?

Answer 8

Continue to use a topical steroid nasal spray

Question 9

When do we class rhinosinusitits as chronic?

Answer 9

If it lasts for >12 weeks without complete resolution of symptoms