Rhinology - the nose / Epistaxis / Trauma Flashcards
What does types of discharge suggest
Watery = allergic rhnitis
Green / pus = rhino sinusitis
How can you examine the nose
Rhinoscope
Otoscope in children
Flexible endoscopy
What bloods can be done when investigating nasal issues
FBC, ESR
ANCA
Serum ace
RAST
What is CT used for
Gold standard nasal surgery
Chonal atresia
Rarely diagnostic
Are X-ray’s useful
Not in viewing sinuses
May show adenoidal hypertrophy
What do you biopsy
Unilateral single polyp to rule out malignancy
What is Rhinitis and what causes non-allergic
Inflammation of lining of nose
Can be allergic vs non-allergic
Normal to have 8 a year
Children more prone
Non-allergic
- Irritant
- Gustatory - spicy food
- Rebound nasal congestion due to prolonged topical decongestant
- Infection
- Sarcoid / macroscopic vasculitis
What are symptoms of non-allergic rhinitis
Blocked nose / congestion Anosmia as blocked Runny nose Sneezing Itch Post nasal drip May have pain
What is important to ask
Any risk of FB
Feeding - breast or bottle
Snoring
QOL
How do you examine and manage
Otoscope
Look for foreign body
Can do allergy testing to exclude allergic
Management
Avoid trigger e.g. smoking
Intra-nasal steroid
Ipatroopium / Decongestant = short term only
What are causes of nasal obstruction
Rhinitis Foreign body Adenoidal hypertrophy Nasal polyps Rhinosinusitis Choanal atresia
How do you RX
Decongestations
Nasal hygiene - saline spray
Nasal steroid sprray - reduce obstruction
Anti-histamine
Surgery - reduce turbinate / adenoidectomy
Correct choanal atresia
If adenoidal hypertrophy what do you check for
OSA
How does foreign body present
Unilateral nasal discharge
What does it need
EUA Battery = emergency as corrodes Posterive pressure through mouth Forceps Removal under GA and refer ENT
What is choanal atresia
Membrane in nose persists resulting in blockage
How does it present
Recurrent infection
Obstruction if both blocked
Sinus issues
How do you Rx
Surgery if both blocked
What causes nasal polyps
Unknown Chronic inflammation Infectious sinusitis Rhinosinusitis CF Churg Strauss / Kartagener syndrome Autonomic dysfunction Genetic predisposition
What can polyps be
Allergic vs non-allergic
What allergic conditions are polyps associated with
Asthma = strong association
Allergic rhinitis = small
Aspirin intolerance
Alcohol intolerance
Santer’s triad
- Asthma
- Atopy
- Aspirin allergy
What is rare association in children
Angiofibroma
- Refer if polyp <10 as unlikely
What are the features of polyps
Nasal obstruction Rhinorrhoea Sneezing Poor sense of taste and smell Associated eosinophilia Post-nasal drip
What requires further investigation urgently
If unilateral or bleeding
Sign of nasopharyngeal cancer - SCC
How do you investigate
Refer ENT routine Sweat test CF RAST / skin test Nasal smear Coronal CT MRI Naso-endoscopy
What does nasal smear show
Eosinophils suggest allergic
Neutrophils suggest chronic sinusitis
When is coronal CT useful
CF patient
Can’t see sinus as filled with mucous and polyps
How do you Rx
Refer ENT for full examination routinely
Oral and nasal steroids to shrink
Immunotherapy
Surgery - endoscopic sinus or polypectomy
What epithelium lines the nose
Respiratory ciliated columnar epithelium with goblet cells
Function of nose
Airway in respiration = primary Warm inspired air Humidification Filtration of large matter Mucous production Cilary clearance Immune protection Olfaction Drainage of middle ear via Eustacian tube Drainage of sinuses and nasolacrimal duct Voice modification