Treatment of Sinusitis

Acute sinusitis is treated by drugs, which are:

Antibiotics
Pain killers
Decongestants ( Drugs which decrease congestion and discharge, by decreasing the fluid secretion by sinus and nasal mucosa. ) These Decongestants are given Locally (e.g. Sprays ) and Systemic (e.g. Tablets, Syrups )
Steam Inhalation, optionally with Tincture Benzoin is also used for its decongestant effect.

Chronic sinusitis is treated Surgically. The surgery for chronic sinusitis can be:

Antral Puncture and Lavage.
Frontal Sinus Trephination.
Intranasal Antrostomy.
Caldwell-Luc Operation.
External Frontoethmoidectomy
Osteo-plastic Flap Operation
External and Internal Ethmoidectomy & Sphenoidectomy

During the decade 1990-2000, there has been a betterment in understanding of anatomy and physiology of parasanal sinuses.

The correct diagnosis and the extent of the disease is ascertained by CT scan.

Since the advent of Hoffkin’s Rigid Telescope and Computerized Tomography Scan (CT Scan), the management of recurrent acute and chronic sinusitis has revolutionized.

Technological advancements in the field of Fiber-Optics has opened a possibility of avoiding a radical procedure by external route thereby improving the efficiency of the procedure.

Endoscopic sinus surgery has varied uses, it mainly useful in:

Nasal polyposis.
Chronic sinusitis.

It is also useful in other conditions e.g.

Endoscopic DCR
Orbital decompression
Hypophysectomy.
Choanal Atresia surgery
Surgery for CSF leak.
Epestexis diagnosis and treatment.

One of the most promising and newest surgical technique for treatment of Chronic Sinusitis is Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery ( FESS ).

Authors:

Dr. Nitin Bhoraskar