NOSE AND SINUS DISORDERS SERVICES

Disorders of the nose and sinuses affect millions of people, causing pain, fatigue and other symptoms. In fact, about 37 million people develop chronic sinusitis each year, making it one of the most common health complaints in the United States.

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Diagnosing and treating problems affecting the nasal cavity and sinuses is one of the principal roles of otolaryngologists. This includes the management of a wide range of conditions including:

• Allergies, including rhinitis or hay fever--an inflammation of the mucous membranes inside the nose that results in chronic discharge and post-nasal drip.
• Deviated nasal septum, a structural abnormality that affects the wallseparating the nostrils
• Loss of the sense of smell, a condition that may be caused by nasal polyps, nasal septal deformities and nasal tumors
• Nasal polyps, growths in the lining of the nose
• Sinusitis, an inflammation of one or more of the air-filled cavities located    behind the nose and eyes and in the cheeks and forehead.
• Taste disorders caused by nasal and sinus disease
• Tumors of the nose and sinus cavities. Due to the endoscope---a narrow, lighted tube---many large growths blocking the sinuses can be removed through the nose, rather than through incisions in the face. If the tumor is malignant, our team of otolaryngologists works in conjunction with oncologists and other specialists at the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center at UC Irvine Medical Center to develop a multidisciplinary treatment plan for the patient. More »

Diagnosis

A thorough physical examination is necessary to get to the root of most nose and sinus problems. This may include diagnostic endoscopy. It is inserted up each nostril and subsequently into the nasal cavity. During this test, the otolarngologist may take tissue samples or remove abnormal growths such as polyps. Diagnostic endoscopy is usually carried out under local anesthetic in the doctor’s office and may be complemented by a CT scan to check the sinuses for growths and other problems.

Treatment

Nose and sinus problems caused by bacterial infections are normally treated with antibiotics and, in some cases, steroids. If allergies are involved, testing to identify the cause is usually necessary, followed by ongoing medical treatment. If the problem stems from structural problems such as polyps, drainage ports in the sinuses that are too small, or abnormalities in the partition that separates the nostrils, surgical intervention may be necessary. Just a few years ago, the only way to correct these conditions was through traditional surgery, which required large incisions. Today, however, functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), a minimally invasive procedure, has revolutionized the way nasal and sinus surgery is performed.

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS)

Before undergoing FESS, patients have lab tests, CT scans and other screenings to confirm the exact nature of the problem. During FESS, our otolargyngolgists (ear, nose and throat doctors) introduce an endoscope into the interior of the patient’s nose and sinuses. The slender, fiberoptic device has a tiny light at its end, enabling the physician to view the problem area. Once the instrument is positioned, tiny scalpels and other surgical tools are passed through the nostrils alongside the endoscope to remove polyps and other obstructions. Since there are no external incisions, the patient rarely experiences any bruising or swelling.

Image-guided endoscopic techniques

In select cases, UC Irvine Medical Center otolarngologists use image-guided endoscopic techniques. By combining the power of computerized tomography with endoscopy, they’re able to determine the anatomic location of their instruments within the sinuses and perform three-dimensional reconstructions of the surgical site.

Research and clinical trials

Our otolaryngology team is at the forefront of new developments in nose and sinus care. As a university medical center, we are the site of numerous clinical trials that give our patients access the treatments not available elsewhere.

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