Sinus411.org

The web site for people with sinus problems

The physical exam of patients with chronic sinusitis encompasse an exam of the nose, sinuses, nasopharynx, ears, throat, and should also include an examination of the lungs (since many patients with chronic sinusitis have asthma as well).

Your doctor may examine your ears to be sure that a sinus condition has not affected the ears, in particular that there is no ear infection or fluid in the ears. Because the "back of the nose" or the nasopharynx, contains the eustacian tubes (which lead to the middle ear), sinus disease can cause fluid buildup in the ears or even painful ear infections.

The doctor examining you should do an examination of your nose, with a small ear scope (an otoscopee), or with a small nasal speculum. The speculum gently pulls the nose up and open, so the ENT doctor can look up into the nose with a headlight.

The doctor is looking for signs of allergies (see turbinates section), signs of nasal polyps, signs of infection draining from the sinuses (called purulence), and other less common findings.

We'll put some pictures up later.

Typically an ear, nose and throat doctor will also examine your mouth, throat, voicebox (or larynx), and your neck. If there is a complaint of cough or wheezing, then the doctor may listen to your lungs.

Usually, if there are significant concerns about sinusitis, or exam findings that make the doctor suspicious of sinusitis, then nasal endoscopy is performed. See the next page.

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