Video nasopharyngoscopy: a comparison of fiberscopic, telescopic, and microscopic documentation

Video nasopharyngoscopy is a most valuable method of documenting the anatomy and pathophysiology of the nasopharynx. Such a permanent record is useful for diagnosis, patient counselling, resident teaching, and the monitoring of therapy in nasopharyngeal disorders. To evaluate the various techniques for assessment of the nasopharynx, the authors have attempted to systematically compare flexible and rigid endoscopes and mirror examination during video recording. The pros and cons of 1) transnasal fiberscopic, 2) transnasal telescopic, 3) transoral telescopic, and 4) transoral microscopic mirror examination methods for video nasopharyngoscopy are discussed.