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Private sinus endoscopy in London, by a consultant ENT rhinologist.

A quick, high-definition scope of the sinuses by an ENT rhinologist - with same-visit CT sinuses if surgery needs planning.

A stethoscope on a clinical desk

Indicative pricing

What a private sinus endoscopy costs in London.

Indicative ranges across UK ENT rhinology clinics.

In short

£250–£500, with findings the same visit.

Procedure Indicative range
Standard sinus endoscopy £250–£500
Sinus endoscopy + CT report review £400–£800
ENT consult + sinus endoscopy £350–£700
Culture-directed sinus swab £280–£550
Post-operative sinus check £220–£450
Urgent same-week appointment £400–£800

Prices vary by clinic, whether a full ENT consultation is included, and whether cultures or a CT sinuses review are added.

The problem

Chronic sinusitis, polyps, post-nasal drip - people wait too long.

Repeated antibiotics and nasal sprays only go so far. A sinus endoscopy shows what is actually going on at the drainage pathways - and it is easier than most people expect.

  • Anxious about the scope?

    A local anaesthetic spray numbs the nose. Most patients say it is easier than a dental check-up.

  • Not sure you need one?

    Sometimes an allergy test, a CT sinus or a course of the right spray is the better first step.

What it shows

Find the reason that matches your symptom.

Sinus endoscopy answers questions no other sinus test can - and can take cultures or a biopsy as it goes. These are the common reasons people have one.

  • Chronic rhinosinusitis

    Direct high-definition view of each meatus, septum and mucosa - the definitive test.

  • Nasal polyps

    Confirms polyps, their size and how much of the airway and sinus openings they occupy.

  • Recurrent sinus infection

    Locates the obstructed drainage pathway and enables a culture-directed swab.

  • Post-nasal drip

    Assesses mucosal swelling, discharge and any polyp burden behind persistent post-nasal drip.

  • Tumour surveillance

    Follow-up scoping after treatment of sinus or nasopharyngeal tumours.

  • Anosmia work-up

    Direct look at the olfactory cleft and any polyps or inflammation causing loss of smell.

  • Recurrent nose bleeds

    Identifies the bleeding point on the septum, turbinate or in the sinus openings.

  • Red flag: unilateral bleeding + facial numbness

    Urgent ENT - 2-week wait head-and-neck pathway.

Scope types

Not all sinus endoscopies are the same.

What each option on your referral is actually for.

  • Standard sinus endoscopy

    A high-definition rigid or flexible endoscope through one nostril under local anaesthetic spray. The standard diagnostic scope.

  • Sinus endoscopy + CT review

    Endoscopy combined with a formal review of your CT sinuses - the essential pairing before considering FESS.

  • Sinus endoscopy + culture

    A directed swab from an infected meatus, sent for microbiology to guide antibiotic choice.

  • ENT consult + endoscopy

    Full ENT consultation with a rhinologist, endoscopy and a written management plan in the same visit.

  • Post-op sinus check

    Routine post-operative check of the sinus cavities after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS).

  • Balloon sinuplasty referral

    Where endoscopy and CT suggest limited outflow obstruction, an onward pathway to balloon sinuplasty.

  • Biopsy of nasal lesion

    A small tissue sample is taken from a suspicious nasal or sinus lesion and sent for histology.

  • Urgent same-week endoscopy

    Prioritised slot for red-flag symptoms - unilateral bleeding, facial numbness, or a suspected mass.

Safety and eligibility

Very safe - a few sensible things to know.

Sinus endoscopy is a very safe outpatient procedure under local anaesthetic spray.

  • Local anaesthetic spray only

    A local anaesthetic spray numbs the nose and sinus openings. No sedation, no cannula, no fasting needed.

  • Brief discomfort

    A pressure sensation, mild sneeze reflex and a watery eye are normal. It settles as the endoscope is withdrawn.

  • Minor bleeding possible

    A small nosebleed can occur, especially in patients on blood thinners. Usually settles with gentle pressure.

  • Avoid blowing your nose for 1 hr after

    Gentle care of the nose for the first hour reduces the chance of any late bleed and keeps the anaesthetic in place.

  • Driving safe

    There is no sedation, so you can drive yourself to and from the appointment.

  • Sneezing during scope is fine

    The endoscope is thin and flexible enough that a sneeze reflex causes no harm - just tell the consultant.

  • Pregnancy safe

    Sinus endoscopy under local anaesthetic spray is considered safe in pregnancy.

  • Anticoagulation continues

    For a standard diagnostic sinus endoscopy your warfarin, DOAC or antiplatelet can usually continue - never stop on your own.

  • Always share prior CT sinuses

    Bring any CT sinuses, MRI or previous operation notes - it changes what the rhinologist looks for.

Reading your report

A sinus endoscopy report can look intimidating. It isn’t.

However much was examined, the report keeps to the same four parts.

A London consultant ENT rhinologist reviewing sinus endoscopy video images

A quiet reminder

You will be told the headline in the same room - cultures and any histology take a little longer.

If you would like it talked through before your follow-up, ask your ENT consultant or GP.

  1. 01 Header

    Indication and symptoms

    Your details, the symptoms behind the referral, and any prior sinus surgery or imaging noted.

  2. 02 Technique

    Route and video capture

    Which endoscope was used, which nostril was passed, and confirmation that HD video was captured.

  3. 03 Findings

    Each meatus, septum, polyp burden

    The middle meatus, superior meatus, septum, turbinates and polyp burden described in turn, with any discharge or lesion recorded.

  4. 04 Impression

    Read first - the plan

    The conclusion - normal, chronic rhinosinusitis, polyps, biopsy plan or FESS referral - and what happens next.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Frequently asked

Common questions about sinus endoscopy.

Quick answers on cost, comfort, imaging, safety and results.

  • What does a sinus endoscopy actually show?

    A high-definition endoscope passed through the nose gives a direct view of each meatus (the drainage pathways of the sinuses), the septum, turbinates and any polyps or discharge. It is the definitive test for chronic rhinosinusitis, nasal polyps, recurrent sinus infection and post-nasal drip, and it is the essential first step before planning any sinus surgery.

  • What is the difference between sinus endoscopy and nasendoscopy?

    They overlap. A general flexible nasendoscopy looks at the whole airway from nose to voice box. A sinus endoscopy is focused specifically on the sinus openings and drainage pathways, is usually done with a rigid HD scope, and is what a rhinologist uses to plan chronic sinusitis care and FESS. If your problem is sinusitis, polyps or post-nasal drip, this is the scope you want.

  • Does a sinus endoscopy hurt?

    It is uncomfortable rather than painful. A local anaesthetic spray numbs the nose and sinus openings first. Most people notice a pressure feeling, a brief sneeze reflex and a watery eye, all of which settle as the endoscope is withdrawn. There is no sedation, no cannula and no fasting.

  • How much does a private sinus endoscopy cost in London?

    Combined with a formal CT sinuses review it is £400–£800, and with a full ENT consultation £350–£700. A culture-directed sinus swab is £280–£550.

  • Do I need a GP referral?

    No. A sinus endoscopy is arranged with a short ENT consultation first so the right endoscope and any imaging is chosen.

  • Is sinus endoscopy safe in pregnancy?

    Yes. Sinus endoscopy under local anaesthetic spray is considered safe in pregnancy.

  • When is a sinus CT needed?

    A CT sinuses maps the bony anatomy of the sinuses in a way endoscopy cannot. It is essential before functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and often paired with endoscopy for chronic rhinosinusitis, recurrent infection or polyps that are not settling.

  • How quickly do I get my results?

    The endoscopy findings are usually explained in the same visit - your consultant shows you the HD video and writes the plan there and then. Culture results follow in 3–5 days and any histology in 7–14 days; both should be explained to you.

  • Can a biopsy be taken during a sinus endoscopy?

    Yes. A small tissue sample can be taken from a suspicious nasal or sinus lesion during the same visit and sent for histology. Anticoagulation is reviewed before biopsy, and results are explained by your consultant.

  • When should I see a GP urgently?

    Unilateral bleeding combined with facial numbness, a lump in the neck, unexplained hearing loss on one side, double vision or a rapidly enlarging cheek swelling are red flags on the 2-week wait head-and-neck pathway.

Related content

Looking for something different?

In practice, in London

The honest picture around sinus endoscopy in London

With sinus endoscopy, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it - not whether the scan is available. The wait for sinus endoscopy on the NHS depends heavily on where you live and how urgently the referral is graded. Central and West London private clinics can normally book within a week, with imaging or a procedure slot to follow shortly after. It’s worth being honest about the reason for going private: usually it’s time, not a fundamentally different test.

A private sinus endoscopy pathway in London usually looks like this: an initial consultation, any diagnostics booked at a nearby facility (most within Zone 1 or 2), and a written report sent to you and your GP within a few days. For sinus endoscopy specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.

It helps to keep expectations realistic. A private sinus endoscopy appointment in London won’t change the underlying medicine - the guidelines, the consultants, and the equipment are largely the same as on the NHS. What it changes is speed, continuity, and the amount of time you get to actually talk through the findings. UK doctors must be GMC-registered, and independent healthcare facilities in England are regulated by the CQC.