Sinusitis
Sinusitis, also known as rhinosinusitis, is an inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the paranasal sinuses. The sinuses are hollow, air-filled, cavities which connect the nose to the throat.
A cold or allergy often creates the inflammation and congestion which causes obstruction of the natural drainage pathways of the sinuses. This creates a perfect breeding ground for viral, bacterial, or fungal infection that can lead to sinusitis.
Sinusitis may be either acute or chronic. These labels are bases on duration of symptoms. Typical symptoms of sinusitis are facial pain, pressure, congestion and headache, often associated with a post-nasal drip and cough.
Diagnosis
Nasal Endoscopy
All of our offices are equipped with state-of-the art video endoscopic equipment. Doctor and patient are able to view the inside of the nasal cavity and the entrance to the sinuses.
A nasal endoscope is a thin tube-like instrument that is inserted into the nostril after a topical decongestant and numbing spray is applied. This procedure is painless and takes less than a minute to perform. The endoscope is equipped with lights and a camera and enables the physician to view within the nose. The ability to diagnose and initiate proper treatment is greatly enhanced with the use of this modality for evaluating the nose and sinuses.
Cat Scan
A CT Scan of the sinuses is a quick, non-invasive tool utilized to view the complete anatomy of the nose and sinuses. CT scanning does not require an IV contrast and provides invaluable information for making an accurate diagnosis for sinus symptoms.
Treatment
Treatment of sinusitis depends on whether the problem is acute (short-term), or chronic (long-term). Acute sinusitis may resolve on its own without the need for treatment. If treatment is necessary, antibiotics, topical or oral decongestants, and or nasal sprays may be prescribed. Chronic sinusitis can be more difficult to treat. Treating the underlying problem, allergy, nasal polyps, deviated septum, turbinate hypertrophy or anatomical obstruction of the natural drainage pathways of the sinuses is necessary.
For some patients, minimally invasive endoscopic sinus surgery, performed in an out-patient (same-day) setting, often leads to a cure and a return to an improved quality of life. During this procedure a thin camera is placed inside the nose allowing the physician to open and restore the natural drainage pathways of the sinuses. Deviated septums which cause nasal obstructions are often repaired at the same time. Nasal packing is infrequently necessary and patients go home the same day breathing thru their nose.
Somnoplasty-Assisted Turbinate Reduction
This minimally invasive office-based procedure is highly effective at relieving nasal obstruction caused by enlarged turbinates. Turbinates are structures within the nose which help to warm, filter and humidify the air which enters our nose. Often allergy of chronic infection can cause the turbinates to enlarge and lead to nasal congestion. Somnoplasty is a procedure which uses radiofrequency (RF) technology to shrink tissue that causes nasal obstruction. This procedure is often painless for most patients and can be performed in our office under topical and local anesthesia in less than 15 minutes. The patient can resume normal activity immediately and pain medications are not needed.
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