Diagnosis
The diagnosis of Sinusitis
is made after review of patient's medical history and completion of a
full clinical examination. Radiologic evaluation is usually reserved for
patients who need medical treatment or present with complications of sinusitis
(mucocele). CT scan is the accepted form of radiologic evaluation. Scans
with axial, coronal and reconstructed saggital views are the most useful.
Clinical examination includes
anterior rhinoscopy and nasal endoscopy. This can be carried out effectively
under topical or local anesthesia. Rigid nasal endoscopy affords optimum
viewing of the sinuses in different angles with the various angled Hopkins
telescopes. An endoscopic guided culture can be effectively and carefully
performed without excessive contamination from the nasal cavity; this
improves the isolation of the bacteria and in some situations the fungal
organisms.
The following are some representative
endoscopic views of the nasal cavity:
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