Nasal endoscopy: new tools and technology for accurate assessment

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Speech-Language Pathology
• Surgical Anatomy

Background:

• Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) requires accurate diagnostic methods.
• Effective communication among healthcare providers is crucial for VPI management.
• Nasal endoscopy offers a direct visualization technique for nasopharyngeal anatomy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss the technique of nasal endoscopy for VPI assessment.
• To emphasize the importance of standardized reporting for communication.
• To provide guidance on surgical therapy selection based on endoscopic findings.

Main Methods:

• Detailed description of the nasal endoscopy technique.
• Inclusion of representative videos illustrating normal and abnormal findings.
• Presentation of anatomical variants and velopharyngeal closure patterns (coronal and sagittal).

Main Results:

• Standardized reporting facilitates interdisciplinary communication.
• Visual aids demonstrate key anatomical features and closure patterns.
• Recommendations are provided for tailoring surgical interventions.

Conclusions:

• Nasal endoscopy is a valuable tool for diagnosing VPI.
• Standardization and clear reporting improve patient care coordination.
• Surgeon experience remains a critical factor in surgical success for VPI.