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Sinus, Nasal, Allergies

Otolaryngologists treat diseases of the nose and sinuses medically and surgically. Common diseases include allergic rhinitis, nasal polyposis, acute sinusitis, chronic sinusitis and cancers of the nose and sinuses.

The nasal cavity is separated into two nasal cavities by a midline partition (nasal septum). Paired frontal sinuses, ethmoid sinuses, maxillary sinuses, and a partitioned sphenoid sinus located at the base of the skull drain directly or indirectly into the nasal cavity. These sinuses bony cavities are filled with air and lined with a mucus membrane; they serve to lighten the skull, protect the brain from head injury and improve vocal resonance. If the nose is injured, the septum is frequently deviated resulting in difficulty breathing and obstruction of the sinus drainage pattern. The nasal cavity has paired mucus membrane covered folds (turbinates) that help cleanse, warm, and moisten air to prepare it for the lungs. Abnormal turbinate function can cause airway obstruction and a stuffy nose. Septoplasty, surgical correction of a deviated septum and turbinate reduction can be corrected by the surgeons at Ear, Nose and Throat Associates.

BALLOON SINUPLASTY PROCEDURE
Balloon sinuplasty is a less invasive, alternative treatment to the traditional endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic sinusitis patients seeking relief from uncomfortable sinus pain symptoms. The devices used in balloon sinuplasty were approved by the FDA in 2005 and thousands of these procedures have been performed since. The procedure’s safety profile is excellent and proven effective with fast recovery.

A balloon is used to dilate the sinuses instead of using metal surgical tools to cut and remove tissue; there is no cutting of nasal bone or tissue. This increases the sinus openings with fewer complications and less risk.

As local anesthesia is used as opposed to the general anesthesia used in traditional sinus surgery, balloon sinuplasty works well for patients who would not be candidates for traditional surgery because of their health, age, previous reaction to anesthesia, or fear of being put under general anesthesia. For many patients, balloon sinuplasty can reduce symptoms as much as traditional surgery.