What are my treatment options?
Chronic sinusitis symptoms can make you miserable and impact your quality of life. In order to get relief, you need to make the right treatment decision with your doctor.
Over the last 2 years the Balloon Sinuplasty™ technology has emerged as a new complement to existing approaches. The information below summarizes the three primary approaches to treating chronic sinusitis.
Medical Therapy
Sinusitis is typically treated first with medication. Treatment with antibiotics or topical nasal steroid sprays is often successful in reducing mucosal swelling, fighting infection, and relieving obstructions of the sinus opening (ostium). Inhaling steam or use of saline nasal sprays or drops can also help relieve sinus discomfort. However, an estimated 20-25% of patients do not respond adequately to medications.1
Conventional Sinus Surgery
The goals of sinus surgery are to clear blocked sinuses restoring normal sinus drainage and function and to preserve normal anatomy and mucosal tissue. Conventional sinus surgery is called Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (ESS). With ESS, specialized instruments are placed into the nose along with a small endoscope to help the surgeon see inside the nose and nasal cavities. The procedure works by removing bone and tissue to enlarge the sinus opening. The removal of bone and tissue may lead to post-operative pain, scarring, and bleeding. Uncomfortable nasal packing may be required to control the bleeding. ESS procedures result in an 80-90% success rate in relieving patient symptoms.2,3
The Balloon Sinuplasty™ Technology: Novel, Endoscopic, Catheter-Based Devices
This technology utilizes a small, flexible, sinus balloon catheter that is placed into the nose to reach the sinuses. The sinus balloon catheter is gradually inflated to gently restructure the previously blocked nasal passage, maintaining the integrity of the sinus lining and restoring normal sinus drainage and function. There is minimal bleeding, and many patients have been able to return to normal activities within 24 hours.4 Clinical studies have indicated that the Balloon Sinuplasty™ system is a safe and effective tool in dilating blocked sinuses.5
Read more about Balloon Sinuplasty™ technology.
1. Hamilos, J Allergy Clin Immunol 2000; 106: 213-27
2. Levine and Clemente, Sinus Surgery - Endoscopic and Microscopic Approaches, Thieme 2005, p. 260
3. Josephson JS, Med Clin of North Amer 75: 1293-1309; 1991
4. Data on file at Acclarent, Inc.
5. Bolger, W. et al. “Safety and outcomes of balloon catheter sinustomy: a multi center 24-week analysis in 115 patients.” Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. 2007, 137: 10 – 20.