Sinusitis and Nasal Polyps

Apart from the external nose the nose consists of the two main nasal cavities with the paranasal cavities - the sinus. Midfacial pain during upper airways infections is often named sinusitis. However, these symptoms are only rarely the result of a bacterial infection in the paranasal sinuses which should be treated with an antibiotic medication.

A chronic inflammation of the mucosa in the nose and sinus, called chronic rhinosinusitis, should be evaluated by a specialist. In some cases the underlying cause of the nose symptoms can be nasal polyps, a benign disease of the nasal mucosa. Much less frequently other diseases or tumors in the sinus can be found.

In addition to conservative treatments, surgical procedures can improve the air passage through the nose and into the sinus and therefore optimize local therapies. Examinations and surgical procedures are performed with endoscopes through the main nasal cavity without visible facial incisions. Operations can be done directly or via a monitor, in addition computer navigation can be helpful. Historically endoscopic sinus surgery was the first form of “minimal invasive surgery”.

Severe cases of chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps get a drug therapy with biologics.