transnasal

Transnasal describes techniques, procedures, or devices that involve passage through the nasal passages. The term is used in medical contexts to indicate routes or approaches that access the body via the nose, as opposed to transoral, transdermal, or transcutaneous routes. While closely related to intranasal, transnasal is a broader descriptor that can apply to diagnostic procedures and therapeutic interventions delivered through the nose.

Common applications include transnasal endoscopy, where a slender flexible endoscope is introduced through a nostril to visualize the nasal cavity, sinuses, and often parts of the pharynx; transnasal endoscopy is used in otolaryngology to assess chronic sinus disease, nasal polyps, or nasal obstruction, and tends to cause less gag reflex than transoral endoscopy. Transnasal drug delivery refers to administering medications through the nasal mucosa, typically by spray, drops, or nebulization, with aims of systemic absorption or targeted nose-to-brain delivery for certain agents. Transnasal administration is noninvasive and can enable rapid onset, though variability in nasal anatomy and mucosal condition can affect dose delivery.

Transnasal routes are also used for oxygen or ventilation support, such as high-flow nasal oxygen delivery systems. Risks common to transnasal approaches include nasal trauma and epistaxis, nasal obstruction, and infection; patient selection and technique are important to minimize complications. In summary, transnasal describes any procedure or delivery method that passes through the nose to reach a target site or to administer therapy, and is used across diagnostic and therapeutic domains.