Not all people have heard that there is such a method of researching the body as an ultrasound of the sinuses of the nose. However, it is now being applied. It is a very effective method of examining the state of the human body. Modern medicine does not stand still, it is developing, today, with the help of ultrasound of the sinuses of the nose, problems with the organ of smell can be diagnosed. This type of research refers to absolutely safe diagnostic methods, but is not widely used in practice in medical institutions. As a rule, in most clinics, X-rays are used to examine the sinuses.
How are the paranasal sinuses examined?
The paranasal sinuses have a good location for ultrasound. They are located between the bones of the skull, namely between the lobes of the front part. The sinuses of the nose perform resonant and airy functions. The sinuses of the nose are the channel in which the cold air acquires the temperature necessary for the body.
There are certain parameters for sinuses. Through this study, you can see what position they are in, any pathologies are present or absent. If the patient has an ultrasound of the sinuses of the nose, then you can diagnose the type of disease that is present in the body. For example, sinusitis and other problems can be identified.
What does an ultrasound show?
We found out what an ultrasound of the sinuses is. What does this examination show? With its help, you can determine the following indicators:
1. In what condition is the mucous membrane.
2. What size are the nasal structures.
3. Are there any formations in the nose that should not be in it. The presence of foreign bodies in the nasal cavities is also diagnosed.
4. Ultrasound of the maxillary sinuses determines how much fluid is present in the cavity, whether this value is permissible or not.
5. The study shows whether a person has polyps. The presence of a cyst is also established.
As you know, the essence of ultrasound is that ultrasound is reflected from the walls of internal organs, and a picture is displayed on the monitor. Only an experienced doctor can decrypt the data. Modern technology allows you to get a color image. But for an ordinary person without special education and experience, it is problematic to decipher the picture. Only an experienced doctor can see what pathological processes occur in the human body, or confirm that they are absent. The picture on the monitor appears due to a special program. It converts the received data from the reflection of ultrasound inside the body.
Indications
In what cases is the patient prescribed an ultrasound of the sinuses of the nose? If the patient has:
1. Inflammatory processes that occur in the body. These include: rhinitis, frontitis, adenoiditis and other similar diseases. Ultrasound of the sinuses of the nose with sinusitis is also an effective way of examination.
2. Rhinitis of an allergic nature.
3. Injuries to the nose or other damage to the nasopharynx of a mechanical nature.
4. The presence of such entities as polyps. The presence in the nose of any objects of foreign origin.
5. Bleeding from the nose for unknown reasons.
6. Inflammation that occurs in the soft tissues of the nose, including purulent in nature.
Also, this examination is prescribed for suspected cysts and the presence of any pathological lesions in the nasal cavity of a person. Ultrasound of the nose can be used to monitor whether the treatment process is effective or not.
Echosinusoscopy
You should know that there is an alternative to ultrasound of the nose, namely echosinusoscopy. This procedure has no contraindications. It can be done even by children. Echosinusoscopy differs from ultrasound in that a transducer of a different shape is used when carrying it out. For the procedure, the sensor is attached to the skin in close proximity to the sinuses. When conducting this type of examination, a gel is used. It is suitable specifically for echosinusoscopy. The gel is necessary to enhance the effect of visualization through the bone tissue of the human body.
If the procedure is planned for the child, then it must be psychologically prepared for it. First you need to tell why it is needed, then describe the stages of the process. This is necessary so that the child does not get nervous and does not panic during the examination.
What are the benefits of ultrasound?
To understand what to do - an ultrasound or an x-ray of the sinuses of the nose, it is worth knowing the disadvantages and advantages of these procedures.
Like most examinations, ultrasound of the nose has its pros and cons. The main advantage of this method over x-rays is that you do not need to consider what dose of radiation will affect the body. Ultrasound is absolutely harmless. Therefore, if necessary, this type of examination can be repeated without any temporary interruptions. Ultrasound of the nose can be done to children, women who have a baby, and during lactation of the baby.
Another advantage of this method is that the device has such a device as a doppler. By means of it, it is possible to determine the state of the blood flow, whether there is a spasm in the body or not. Doppler also allows you to find out if the patient has any pathological changes in the vessels, for example, their narrowing. Another plus of the ultrasound of the paranasal sinuses is that you do not need any preparation of the patient for its implementation.
What are the disadvantages of an ultrasound?
Of the minuses, it can be called that this procedure is rarely performed in medical institutions. Therefore, there are no specialists with great practice. Also, due to the thickness of the nasal septum, there may be a chance of distorting the results of the examination. In this regard, additional methods for making a diagnosis will be prescribed to the patient.
What pathological changes in the body can be determined by echosinusoscopy?
This method of examination allows you to diagnose the following ailments:
1. Inflammation in the human body.
2. The presence of any formations, namely: polyps, adenoids and others.
3. Allergic reactions of the body with a place of localization in the sinuses.
4. The presence of cysts.
Also, this method allows you to track how a particular disease proceeds, for example, an infection or the bacterial genesis.
Through ultrasound, diseases such as a boil, a lipoma, and others are much better visualized. Also, with the help of this examination, you can accurately determine how much fluid is present in the sinuses, namely, within the normal range or not.
What does the doctor evaluate when performing an ultrasound?
As mentioned above, the doctor through ultrasound can determine not only the state of the human body at the time of the examination, but also how the disease progresses. Thus, it becomes possible to understand how effective the prescribed treatment is.
When conducting an ultrasound, the specialist identifies the following indicators:
1. The presence of any blackout.
2. What is the size of the sinus, as well as its volume.
3. How thickened the mucous membranes of the nose.
4. The shape of the sinuses of the nose.
5. Internal protrusion.
6. The amount of fluid.
7. The area of distribution of pathology.
8. Shadows.
Indicators are evaluated quickly, no longer than ten minutes. Next, the patient is prescribed a treatment regimen. It can be conservative or surgical.