Rhinology refers to a subspecialty within the field of otolaryngology (ENT) focused on the treatment of diseases and disorders affecting the nasal cavity and sinuses.
The LHNC has a rhinology team providing comprehensive management of all aspects of rhinology.
Disease treated:
Nasal allergy
Nasal polyps and recurrent nasal polyps
Nose bleeds (including Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia)
Sinusitis
Chronic rhinosinusitis (including cystic fibrosis, auto-immune disease, immune deficiency, recurrent rhinosinusitis, revision sinus surgery and frontal sinus surgery)
Nasal deformity
Nasal septal perforation (including 3-D printed custom-made septal buttons)
Smell and taste disorders
Tumours of the nose and sinuses
Watery eye (epihora)
Thyroid-related eye problems
Nasal problems related to systemic vasculitis
Non-sinus related facial pain
Cerebrospinal fluid leak (from the nose)
Skull base tumours (including pituitary tumours)
Clinics
In addition to general rhinology clinics, there are clinics focusing on complex rhinological disorders, smell disorders, vasculitis and non-sinus related facial pain. The majority of patients referred by their General Practitioners are assessed in the general rhinology clinics initially and where appropriate, their care may be transitioned to more specialised clinics.
Clinical Trials
The team has recruited to a number of studies focusing on nasal blockage (e.g. NAIROS trial) and chronic rhinosinusitis (in collaboration with the University of Liverpool and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine).
Clinicians
Clinicians who have a subspecialist interest in rhinology are called rhinologists. They are ENT surgeons who have undertaken additional training and professional development to develop unique skill sets in the medical and surgical treatment of nasal and sinus disorders.
Our clinicians also collaborate with their colleagues in Alder Hey Children’s Hospital to treat children with nasal tumours or sinus problems. They also work closely with other specialists (e.g. neurosurgery, maxilla-facial surgery, ophthalmology, oncology) managing patients with tumours of the sinus and skull base.
Our consultants provide a bespoke service that, in many aspects, is unique to the North West of England. For example, we are the only clinic in the region capable of undertaking comprehensive smell testing. The smell clinic is recognised by FifthSense, the national charity supporting people affected by smell and taste disorders. In collaboration with our rhinologists, FifthSense launched its regional hub in Liverpool in 2021. In addition, we are the only unit capable of fabricating 3-D printed custom-made implants for patients suffering with nasal septal perforations. Our rhinologists are also actively involved in the regional Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT), vasculitis and facial pain services.