Evaluating Your Sinuses: Diagnostic Tests

Imaging tests can help your healthcare provider learn more about your sinuses. You may have tests to confirm your diagnosis.

Diagnostic tests

• CT scan. This is a special kind of X-ray. It gives a detailed view of your nose and sinuses. Scans from different angles help show the exact place where the blockages are. They also serve as “maps” during surgery. In some cases, you may need more than one CT scan before your surgery.

  

• Nasal endoscopy. This is a procedure that uses a slim, flexible tube with a fiberoptic light at the end. This is called an endoscope. The healthcare provider puts the endoscope into your nose. This lets your provider see the inside of your nose, including the nasal mucosa and sinus openings. If needed, your provider can also take tissue samples (biopsies) through the endoscope. These samples will be looked at by a lab.

• Allergy tests. You may have these types of tests to find out what things you're allergic to. You may be allergic to food, latex, pollen, mold, pet dander, or other environmental substances.

• Mucus sample. The healthcare provider may take these samples from your nose or sinuses to check for infection.