Nasal exudates and masses
Clinical signs associated with nasal disease may include sneezing, nasal or occular discharge, epistaxis, pawing at the nose and facial deformity. Epistaxis may also be seen in primary or secondary coagulopathies and hyperviscosity syndromes.
Rhinoscopy and cytological evaluation are simple non-invasive procedures which may lead to a definitive diagnosis. Cytological findings must be evaluated with historical, physical, rhinoscopic, radiographic and clinical laboratory findings to maximise the likelihood of achieving a diagnosis.
Negative or non-specific findings do not rule out infection, neoplasia or a foreign body. Surgical exploration of the nasal cavity and biopsy may be required to obtain a definitive diagnosis.
Cytological specimens are collected from the nasal cavity by flushing or aspiration techniques which should be performed after radiography and rhinoscopy so that radiographic detail and visualisation of the cavity is not altered by haemorrhage and manipulation of nasal tissue.
