Rhinology

Rhinology is a subspecialty within ENT that focuses on disorders that affect the nose and sinuses. The scope of rhinology also encompasses conditions affecting the anterior skull base, which is the barrier that separates the nose and sinuses from the brain. Rhinologic conditions may affect children and adults. There is significant variation in the conditions managed by a rhinologist; these conditions include the following:

• Acute, recurrent, and chronic sinusitis
• Nasal polyps
• Nose bleeds
• Nasal septal deviation
• Smell and taste disorders
• Allergies
• Vasomotor rhinitis
• CSF leaks
• Benign and malignant tumors of the nose and sinuses
• Benign and malignant tumors of the anterior skull base and pituitary gland

Much progress has been made in field of rhinology in recent years with the use of the rigid endoscope, together with CT scans, to diagnose and manage the many disorders in the subspecialty. Nasal endoscopy allows for enhanced visualization of the complex anatomy of the nose, sinuses, and anterior skull base. Procedures may also be performed with the endoscope and other minimally invasive techniques to treat different rhinologic conditions without needing incisions and creating scars on the face. Disorders that are commonly managed by surgery include

• Chronic sinusitis
• Nasal polyps
• Nose bleeds
• CSF leaks
• And different tumors of the nose, sinuses, and anterior skull base.