Cutting-Edge
Sinus Treatment Offers New Hope
It's an annual rite of passage for those who suffer from
seasonal allergies: sinuses so blocked it's difficult to
breathe, a recurring headache, a feeling of constant
"pressure" on the face.
But for people like Michele Lynch who suffer from chronic
sinusitis, allergy season seems to last all year. "I
couldn't work. You can't breathe. I couldn't sleep," she
said.
Lynch, 24, had suffered from sinusitis most of her life —
the result of abnormal bone growth in her sinuses. But a few
weeks ago, doctors suggested she try a radically new
treatment that's been available in the United States only
since December.
The procedure, called balloon sinuplasty, opens sinus
cavities the same way doctors open clogged arteries when
they do a balloon angioplasty.
"This is a wonderful, wonderful advantageous technology for
patients," said Dr. Peter Catalano of the Lahey Clinic in
Burlington, Mass.
With the patient under a general anesthesthetic, doctors
thread a guide wire equipped with a tiny balloon into the
nostrils and up to the blockage. They then inflate the
balloon about a quarter of an inch — just enough to open the
passageway. The balloon is then deflated and withdrawn.
After the sinuplasty, the sinus openings become
significantly wider. In most cases, they stay that way,
because the balloon has actually fractured the bones and
spread them apart — all without pain.
"The bones in the sinus drain are very soft, thin bones.
Extremely malleable and therefore there is no pain,"
Catalano said.
And in many cases, balloon sinusplasty appears to be more
effective than conventional surgery.
"It allows for no incisions or cutting. There's no bruising
or swelling," said Dr. Howard Levine of the Cleveland
Nasal/Sinus Center.
Which means Michelle Lynch was back at work the next day.
"This procedure made a huge difference in my life," she
said. "Since the procedure I can't say I've even had a
headache, and breathing is so clear."
