Balloon Sinuplasty
Balloon Sinuplasty is a breakthrough procedure that relieves the pain and pressure associated with chronic sinusitis. It is used by sinus surgeons to safely and effectively treat chronic sinusitis patients who are not responding well to medications such as antibiotics, nasal steroids, or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and are seeking relief from uncomfortable sinusitis symptoms. Similar to how angioplasty uses balloons to open blocked arteries, balloon sinuplasty, a system of FDA‐approved, catheter‐based instruments, opens blocked sinuses. With balloon sinuplasty, a specially designed catheter is inserted into the nose to reach the inflamed sinus cavity. A small balloon is slowly inflated, deflated, and then removed. The process widens and restructures the walls of the sinus passage, helping to drain mucus from the blocked sinus and restore normal sinus drainage without cutting and with minimal bleeding.
The procedure is less invasive than traditional sinus surgery and allows most patients to return to normal activities quickly. This procedure also preserves the natural structure of the sinuses. Published clinical data shows that balloon sinuplasty provides symptom relief for the majority of patients. Balloon sinuplasty is also being recognized and fully covered by medical insurance companies.
Most patients recover after a couple days and report life-changing relief two months after treatment. Following detailed instructions from your doctor will expedite your recovery.
Common Conditions
Sinusitis is one of the most common ear, nose, and throat problems. Sinusitis that has not been present for long resolves promptly with rest and medications. Sometimes antibiotics are necessary. When sinusitis has been present for weeks, recurs after discontinuing medications, or returns more than the usual number of times in a year, chronic sinusitis may be developing. If this occurs, a procedure such as balloon sinuplasty may be necessary.
Polyps are non-cancerous growths that appear in the passages of your nasal cavity.
Large or swollen polyps can lead to difficulty breathing or even loss of smell. Polyps in the nose also indicate that a patient has chronic sinusitis. Medications can help, but advanced treatment or surgery may be necessary.
Symptoms often include nosebleeds, snoring, sleep apnea, congestion, difficulty breathing, and more.
Enlarged nasal turbinates affect everyone at some point during their lifetime. Causes include sinus infections, viral colds, air-born pollution, allergies, and even some medications.
Chronic nose congestion has many different potential causes. The vast majority of these are very treatable. We offer multiple procedures to treat each specific cause to deliver long-lasting results.
Sinus Treatments
Yes! We care for patients of all ages.
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) utilizes small surgical instruments and cameras to open the sinuses to allow them to drain properly. This can relieve your symptoms and allow the sinuses to return to a healthy state.
If you experience the symptoms of sinusitis frequently (stuffy nose, nasal drainage, discolored mucus, sinus pain) or find that sinus medications don’t improve your symptoms, you may require sinus surgery.
A deviated septum can be corrected with a surgical procedure called septoplasty.
A septoplasty operation can be performed under general anesthesia in the operating room or under IV sedation in the office. Either way, you will be asleep during the procedure. Recovery generally takes several days.
Repair of nasal valve collapse can quickly and easily improve your breathing through the nose. Many patients return to normal activities a couple of days after surgery.
Nasal turbinates can be reduced using a variety of techniques in the office or in the operating room. Your sinus specialist will help determine which method is right for you.
General Sinus Questions
Your sinuses are interconnected, air filled structures in your skull. There are made up of four pairs:
- Maxillary (in the cheekbones)
- Frontal (low-center of the forehead)
- Ethmoid (between the eyes)
- Sphenoid (behind the nasal cavity)
The sinuses are lined with soft tissue called mucosa. These simple structures can become easily blocked or inflamed, leading to countless issues. No one knows for sure why we have sinuses. Some believe they help increase the moisture level of the air we breathe in while others suspect sinuses help enhance our voices.
The dedicated professionals at The Center for ENT are here to help with all your sinus needs. We have the resources available to help diagnose and treat any sinus related problem you may develop.
An otolaryngologist is a physician trained in the medical and surgical management of ear, nose and throat diseases and disorders.
Commonly referred to as ENTs, they identify and treat diseases of the ears, nose, sinuses, larynx, mouth, throat and structures of the face and neck. Otolaryngologists complete up to 15 years of college and post-graduate training, including medical school. Many also complete a one- or two-year fellowship to gain more extensive training.
All otolaryngologist must be certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology.
Your doctor will complete a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms and medical history. They will visually inspect your nose for inflammation and other obstructions. Your doctor may also use a nasal endoscopy or a CT scan for a more in-depth look.
A nasal endoscopy requires your doctor to insert a flexible tube with a lighted camera on the end (endoscope) into your nasal cavity. This will give them a detailed view of your sinuses.
A computerized tomography (CT) scan uses data from a series of X-rays taken from different angles to put together a detailed image of your sinuses. This provides your doctor with a more complete view of your anatomy as compared to a nasal endoscopy.
Remember What Sinus Relief Feels Like?
When your sinus issues are severe, it can be hard to remember what life felt like before your symptoms were a constant. Our sinus doctors can help restore your senses so you can enjoy the world around you—which is exactly what this recent patient experienced after sinus surgery.