[Diagnostic biopsy with paranasal sinus endoscopy].

Rigid endoscopy allows clear visualization of the nasal fossa and paranasal sinuses and permits biopsies to be obtained under direct vision from relatively inaccessible sites. In most cases the biopsy can be made using local anesthesia, but selected patients require general anesthesia. We report the results of 31 patients who underwent biopsy with rigid nasal endoscopy under general anesthesia. Of the 31 patients, a diagnostic biopsy was achieved in 30 (96.7%). We define a diagnostic biopsy as one which yielded a histopathological diagnosis that did not change as a result of clinical findings, examinations or further biopsies performed during follow-up. We recommend the use of endoscopic nasal biopsy of nasal and paranasal neoplasms as an easy, safe and reliable technique.