Helping Make ENT Exams More Comfortable for Kids and Adults
Published Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Dr. Kristina Pulkki, Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) physician at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, with one of the nasolaryngoscopes and monitor made possible through donor support to the Health Sciences Foundation.
Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) doctors diagnose everything from cancer to BBQ bristles stuck in the throat. In some cases, such as when something is blocking a patient's airway, getting answers quickly is vitally important.
Supporting that care every day are donor-funded nasolaryngoscopes that continue to be used by ENT doctors throughout the Hospital. These thin, flexible cameras can access all the areas of the nose and throat to provide crystal-clear visualization for definitive answers quickly.
“The scopes are integral pieces of equipment that every ENT uses for both inpatients and outpatients. There's nothing really that can properly replace them,” said Dr. Kristina Pulkki, one of the ENTs at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
When it comes to this kind of imaging equipment, the thinner the better for patient comfort. ENT doctors feed the flexible scope through the nose and down the back of the throat. That way, they can see the whole upper airway through the nasal passage.
However, children do have difficulties with the thicker adult scopes. That's why the donor-funded equipment includes a special, thinner scope for children.
“It's the same type of scope, but it's finer and therefore a little more delicate. There is still some negotiation to get kids to sit still, so the more comfortable we can make it for them, the better.”
All of the scopes also include video chips which network with the central imaging computer. “That means the patient can watch the video on the screen in real time and see for themselves what I'm seeing,” Dr. Pulkki said.
“We're very thankful for these scopes,” Dr. Pulkki said. “It makes diagnosis so much faster and more comfortable for patients of all ages.”
Thank you for supporting the Health Sciences Foundation through donations, Foundation events, and Thunder Bay 50/50 ticket purchases. Your generosity continues to support ENT care for both children and adults at our Hospital.