 |
Andrew Cornetta,
MD
with patient Monique Arravel |
Sinusitis
is one of the most common health problems in the
United States affecting 37 million people each
year. Symptoms—ranging from facial pain and
pressure to loss of the senses of taste and smell—have
the power to significantly impact quality of life.
A new surgery known as balloon sinuplasty could
lead to more permanent results for patients suffering
with chronic sinusitis. “It’s like
an angioplasty for the coronary arteries of the
sinuses” said attending otolaryngologist
Anthony Cornetta, MD. Balloon sinuplasty works
with a balloon catheter which is placed through
the nostrils to access the target sinus. The balloon
is then inflated, deflated and finally removed,
leaving an open sinus passageway and restoring
sinus function. Many specialists believe that balloon
sinuplasty has technological benefits over traditional
endoscopic surgery. “The procedure is much
less invasive than traditional surgery which means
a lot less anxiety for patients, much less pain,
and faster recovery,” said attending otolaryngologist
William R. Spencer, MD.
 |
| William R. Spencer, MD; Robert
Feld, MD; & Peter Berman, MD |
Because the procedure is done under fluoroscopic
image guidance, it is appropriate for sinuses that
may be difficult to reach or visualize using normal
surgical techniques.
“With balloon sinuplasty, we have the ability
to thread the catheter into the sinuses, then
take an x-ray in order to ensure that it is precisely
placed,” explained Robert Feld, MD, Chief
of Otolaryngology.
“From there it is a simple matter to thread
the balloon over the catheter.” “It
made sense to me from the beginning,” said
Monique Arraval, DDS, who underwent balloon sinuplasty
with Dr. Cornetta. Dr. Arraval’s symptoms
began in the early spring of 2007. As a dentist,
Dr. Arraval’s stuffy nose and loss of sense
of taste and smell made working very difficult.
When her symptoms lasted beyond the spring she
knew she was suffering from more than seasonal
allergies. After diagnosing severe chronic sinusitis
her internist referred her to Dr. Cornetta. When
antibiotics didn’t cure her symptoms, Dr.
Arraval and Dr. Cornetta decided to move forward
with the balloon sinuplasty procedure.
After the procedure, a bandage was placed
under Dr. Arraval’s nose and she experienced
little bleeding and very little swelling the
next day. Dr. Cornetta notes that although
symptoms should
not return and results are expected to last
indefinitely, the procedure can be repeated.
Two weeks post surgery, Dr. Arraval noted,
“For the first time I felt like I could
breathe again. [I have a] better sense of living,
I can go out to eat again, I can smell and
taste everything.”
“This is just one more tool that we have to treat chronic sinus infections,” attending
otolaryngologist Peter Berman, MD, concluded.
Healthline July 2008 |
