Comparison of 3 mm versus 4 mm rigid endoscope in diagnostic nasal endoscopy

Abstract

ObjectiveCompare nasal endoscopy with 3 mm versus conventional 4 mm rigid 30° endoscopes for visualization, patient comfort, and examiner ease.MethodsTen adults with no previous sinus surgery underwent bilateral nasal endoscopy with both 4 mm and 3 mm endoscopes (resulting in 20 paired nasal endoscopies). Visualization, patient discomfort and examiner's difficulty were assessed with every endoscopy. Sino-nasal structures were checked on a list if visualized satisfactorily. Patients rated discomfort on a standardized numerical pain scale (0–10). Examiners rated difficulty of examination on a scale of 1–5 (1 = easiest).ResultsVisualization with 3 mm endoscope was superior for the sphenoid ostium (P = 0.002), superior turbinate (P = 0.007), spheno-ethmoid recess (P = 0.006), uncinate process (P = 0.002), cribriform area (P = 0.007), and Valve of Hasner (P = 0.002). Patient discomfort was not significantly different for 3 mm vs. 4 mm endoscopes but correlated with the examiners' assessment of difficulty (r = 0.73). The examiner rated endoscopy with 4 mm endoscopes more difficult (P = 0.027).ConclusionsThe 3 mm endoscope was superior in visualizing the sphenoid ostium, superior turbinate, spheno-ethmoid recess, uncinate process, cribriform plate, and valve of Hasner. It therefore may be useful in assessment of spheno-ethmoid recess, nasolacrimal duct, and cribriform area pathologies. Overall, patients tolerated nasal endoscopy well. Though patient discomfort was not significantly different between the endoscopes, most discomfort with 3 mm endoscopes was noted while examining structures difficult to visualize with the 4 mm endoscope. Patients' discomfort correlated with the examiner's assessment of difficulty.

Primary endoscopic stapedotomy using 3 mm nasal endoscope: Audiologic and clinical outcomes

“…This has led to enhanced structural identification in the narrow middle ear space, resulting in preservation of vital anatomical structures such as the bony canal wall and chorda tympani nerve. A 3 mm rigid nasal endoscope, although designed for pediatric sinus surgery ( Neel et al., 2017 ), can be effectively used in stapes surgery as demonstrated in the present study. Similar to a 4 mm nasal endoscope (180 mm length), the 3 mm (140 mm length) rigid endoscope can be successfully used in various middle ear surgeries with promising results ( Pothier, 2013 ; Yung, 2001 ).…”

Endoscopic Injection of the Longus Capiti Muscle in the Treatment of Dystonic Head Flexion

“…The procedure is often performed to treat epistaxis . The procedure is well tolerated, and although thinner endoscopes are available, patient tolerance of the 4 mm scope is similar . The equipment for performing the procedure is readily available in the ENT outpatient setting, and therefore this procedure is ideally performed in a joint neuro/ENT clinic.…”

Development of a small-diameter and high-resolution industrial endoscope with CMOS image sensor

“…In general, an industrial endoscope has an unbending insertion section, which is inserted into a to-be-inspected space, such as the inside of a pipe [2]. Small-diameter endoscopes are highly needed for inspection in the narrow space of the diverse industrial components, however, an essential challenge still exists in conventional apparatus to create high-resolution vision [3,4,5]. The present article demonstrates an optical endoscope consisting of one 5 mm-diameter rigid tube and CMOS (Complementary metal oxide semiconductor) sensor unit, which has the capability of providing imaging resolution better than 57 lp/mm.…”