Rhinitis is diagnosed on the basis of the clinical picture.
Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics and obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnostic clarification/in case of complications.
- Nasal endoscopy (nasal endoscopy; nasal cavity endoscopy) possibly with biopsy (tissue sampling) – if chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS, simultaneous inflammation of the nasal mucosa (“rhinitis”) and the mucosa of the paranasal sinuses) is suspected, as the method of first choice
- Sonography (ultrasound examination) of the paranasal sinuses – if chronic rhinosinusitis is suspected (limited assessability, therefore rarely indicated).
- Computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses (NNH-CT; sectional imaging procedure (X-ray images from different directions with computer-based evaluation)) is evidential for rhinosinusitis, but usually not indicated; method of choice for imaging in more advanced questions in chronic rhinosinusitis.
- Magnetic resonance imaging of the paranasal sinuses (NNH-MRI; computer-assisted cross-sectional imaging (using magnetic fields, that is, without X-rays)) is demonstrative of rhinosinusitis, but usually not indicated; method of choice for tumors/intracranial complications of chronic rhinosinusitis.
- X-ray of the paranasal sinuses – also indicative of rhinosinusitis, but usually not indicated.
