Sinus Surgery

When medical management fails and for some patients with recurrent (chronic) sinusitis, more aggressive intervention may be appropriate.

The initial evaluation includes a thorough history and physical exam, which involves often a rigid telescope exam of the nasal cavity. This gives the doctor a direct view of the structures of the nasal cavity and sinuses and will indicate septal deviations, areas of abnormal drainage and nasal abnormalities and polyps.

CT scanning of the sinuses may be obtained to better document the sinusitis and allow for surgical planning.

At Mass. Eye and Ear, surgeons use advanced endoscopic and CT-guided sinus surgery. The surgeon manipulates very small surgical instruments under direct visualization via telescope to complete the work without external incisions. CT imaging technology is used to precisely locate the instruments during surgery.

Surgery is also used to correct sinus malformations and defects in the bone separating the sinuses from the brain which often results ina cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) leak.  Revision sinus surgery – correcting problems brought on by past surgical work - is also performed when needed. The Sinus Center is also involved in cranial base tumor treatment – employing advanced surgical techniques to access cranial base tumors and certain spinal abnormalities through the sinuses.