Sinusitis, also known as Rhinosinusitis, is one of the most common and debilitating health problems in the U.S. In fact, research shows sinusitis is now more common than heart disease and asthma, affecting more than 37 million Americans a year. Sinusitis can be a complicated problem and is best treated by an Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist.

The sinuses are air spaces behind the bones of the upper face and are located between the eyes and behind the forehead, nose, and cheeks. Each of the four pairs of sinuses has an opening that allows mucus to drain. This drainage is essential to keeping your sinuses clear. Anything that obstructs the flow may cause mucus buildup thereby causing chronic inflammation in the sinus lining.

Facial pain, pressure, congestion or fullness, discharge of yellow or green mucus from the nose, loss of the sense of smell or taste, fatigue, bad breath, difficulty breathing through the nose, teeth pain, and headache.

Surgery isn’t your only option for Chronic Sinusitis. At Gateway ENT, we’re constantly researching the latest, most cutting-edge treatments. After your medical exam, our Sinus Specialists will sit down with you and review your treatment options so together you can decide which treatment is right for you. Our treatments include medical therapy, in-office based procedures, endoscopic sinus surgery, imaged-guided sinus surgery, Balloon Sinuplasty, and Sinuva and Propel Stents.

A Nasal Endoscopy takes place in the office. A small amount of numbing spray is placed into both nostrils. A telescope is then used to view the inside of the nose. This procedure helps diagnose nasal breathing problems, sinusitis, nosebleeds and growths. While this procedure is not time consuming, it requires the use of advanced technological equipment and specialized expertise. It is usually paid for by insurance. Although it is not a surgical procedure, it should be noted that insurance companies will list it as a surgery, along with an office visit charge, which is often confusing to the patient.

A Sinus CT Scan is x-ray imaging that is completed to help with diagnosis and management of sinus disease. Gateway ENT has an in-office low-dose Radiation CT scanner.

It is an outpatient surgery performed using small telescopes to view and treat the inside of the nose and sinuses. It is often used to treat chronic sinusitis, polyps and growths.

Image-guided sinus surgery is generally performed in the operating room. It is an endoscopic sinus surgery utilizing an image-guided platform. This advanced technology creates three-dimensional modeling of the sinuses, allowing for real-time assessment of the anatomy, helping the doctor to achieve better results and improved safety.

In office Balloon Sinuplasty™ technology is an FDA-cleared, endoscopic, catheter-based system for patients suffering from sinusitis. The technology uses a small, flexible, Sinus Balloon Catheter to open blocked sinus passageways, restoring normal sinus drainage and function. When the sinus balloon is inflated, it gently restructures and widens the walls of the passageway while maintaining the integrity of the sinus lining.

In recent years, Balloon Sinuplasty has become a popular procedure. It can be safe and effective. Its appeal is that it is minimally invasive and can be done in the office. It is also covered by most insurance plans. Our expert sinus surgeons perform this surgery. It is important to note that not everyone is a candidate as it is generally useful for patients with less complicated sinus problems. We sometimes see that this procedure is over-used. It is just one tool in our sinus toolbox. We will perform a comprehensive sinus evaluation and together decide if Balloon Sinuplasty is the right procedure for you.

They are steroid-releasing implants to aid in the management of chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps.

A Septoplasty is performed to correct a crooked or deviated septum. The surgery is completed as an outpatient and involves removing or reshaping the deviated cartilage and bone of the internal nose.

It is a procedure that may be completed in the office or in the operating room. Instruments are used to decrease the size of the tissue inside the nose thereby improving nasal breathing. The procedure is often performed along with a Septoplasty.

For more information on conditions of the now, please visit our Academy website at www.enthealth.org