New treatment offers relief for chronic sinusitis

Sinusitis: Most of us have endured this uncomfortable condition. You know how it feels—running nose, watery eyes, pounding headache.

With acute sinusitis—commonly referred to as the common cold—your sinuses (the air-filled hollow cavities around your nose) become inflamed causing fluid to build up which interferes with normal mucus drainage. Headaches, fever and a nagging cough often accompany this irritation.

Most colds resolve with time. Some, however, develop into a more long-lasting condition—or chronic sinusitis.

Until now, treating chronic sinusitis meant medical therapy and/or conventional sinus surgery. Close to 25 percent of patients do not respond to medical therapies. Surgical procedures can be 90 percent effective but may include post-operative pain, scarring, uncomfortable nasal packing to control bleeding and a longer recovery time.

Now, Balloon Sinuplasty™, a new treatment option at the DMH ENTA Allergy, Head and Neck Institute, offers an alternative for patients who suffer from chronic sinusitis.

Cleared by the FDA, clinical studies show that this endoscopic catheter-based system is safe and effective in dilating blocked sinuses and reduces or eliminates many postsurgical concerns.

“This new option is minimally invasive, with no tissue or bone removed, so uncomfortable nasal packing and post-operative bleeding is greatly reduced or eliminated,” says Steven Sobol, MD, ENTA Medical Director. “Many patients return to normal activities within 24 hours.”

Trained physicians at ENTA use a small, flexible sinus balloon catheter to open up blocked passageways, restoring normal 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.

Balloon Sinuplasty is not indicated for every patient with persistent sinus symptoms and can be used with other medical therapies or sinus surgery techniques for progressive disease. The ENTA specialists can determine whether you are a candidate for this or other approaches to treating your sinus disease.

For more information, call 217-876-3682.

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