Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea are some of the most prevalent medical conditions we face. The causes are multiple: age, weight, upper airway anatomy, and neurological predispositions. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP devices) remain the gold-standard in therapy, although compliance is still low. Adjustable oral appliances are making a strong foothold in treatment. These custom […]
Tag Archives: surgery
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Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea is the medical term for spinal fluid dripping from your brain cavity though your sinuses and out of your nose. It is a very rare condition, usually seen only after head trauma or as a complication of sinus surgery. More rarely, it can be seen occurring spontaneously in the condition of benign […]
Rhinologists and otolaryngologists recently are at a crossroads about new treatments for chronic sinus infections. This biggest game changer is the Acclarent Ballon Sinuplasty technology that allows for a tiny catheter to thread an inflatable balloon across narrow sinus openings and stretch it (think heart catheters & angioplasty). This technology has been available in the […]
A new patented genetic test seeks to reduce the number of unnecessary thyroid surgeries. Veracyte is a company that has a patent on Afirma, a genetic testing tool that extracts genetic information from thyroid needle biopsies and compares it to a database of known thyroid cancer-associated genetic mutations. Statistical rigor is applied and the specimen […]
IntersectEnt.com This week I used the novel steroid-eluting Propel stent in the operating room for the first time. It is a new FDA approved device to improve healing after endoscopic sinus surgery. The device deployed well, and seemed to fit snugly. It is designed to absorb over a thirty-day period. I really like the device […]
There are many specific issues to consider when sinus surgery is recommended by your otolaryngologist. Most patients I see for a “second opinion” about their sinuses do in fact have sinuses that justify surgery. However somewhere along the way the goals and expectations of surgery have been forgotten. Here are the questions you should be […]
Avoid high doses of these over the counter medications and supplements before surgery and invasive procedures. Ask your doctor when it is safe to resume. Medications: Aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, many others), naproxen (Aleve), Vitamin E. Many combination headache and cold medications also contain the above medications as well, so check the label! Natural […]
Thanks for the question SDinPenn. Balloon Sinusplasty is a term used to describe opening up the sinus channels by inflating strong balloons instead of more traditional ways of cutting away the bones. It has several advantages, including safety, less bleeding, and less pain – leading to quicker recovery. The problems with the balloon include difficulty […]
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