Nose
Sinusitis and Sinus Surgery
Sinusitis is inflammation of the lining of the sinuses, the air-filled spaces around the nose. Because the nasal lining is usually involved too, the condition is also called rhinosinusitis.
Swelling can interfere with mucus drainage and cause blockage, discharge and facial pressure. Treatment depends on the duration, severity and underlying pattern of disease.
Acute and Chronic Sinusitis
Acute sinusitis usually lasts less than four weeks and often follows a viral cold. Some episodes involve bacterial infection, but antibiotics are not needed for every case.
Chronic rhinosinusitis involves symptoms lasting at least 12 weeks, with inflammation confirmed on examination, nasal endoscopy or imaging. It is generally an ongoing inflammatory condition rather than simply an infection that has not cleared.
What Symptoms Can Occur?
Typical symptoms include:
- A blocked or congested nose.
- Nasal discharge or drainage into the throat.
- Reduced sense of smell.
- Facial pressure or discomfort.
Headache or facial pain alone does not confirm sinusitis. Migraine and other conditions can cause similar discomfort.
How Is It Assessed?
Assessment considers the symptom pattern, previous treatments and associated conditions such as allergies, asthma or nasal polyps.
Nasal endoscopy can help identify inflammation, discharge or polyps. CT imaging may be needed for persistent disease, suspected complications or surgical planning. It is not routinely required for uncomplicated acute sinusitis.
What Treatments May Help?
Saline irrigation and corticosteroid nasal sprays are commonly used to manage chronic inflammation. Treatment may also address associated allergies or other contributing conditions.
Antibiotics are reserved for situations where bacterial infection is suspected and treatment is appropriate. The plan should reflect the individual diagnosis rather than repeated antibiotic courses for every flare-up.
When Is Sinus Surgery Considered?
Surgery may be considered when confirmed chronic sinus disease continues to affect quality of life despite appropriate treatment. The decision takes account of symptoms, examination findings, CT results and the expected benefit.
Most uncomplicated acute episodes do not require surgery.
What Does Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Involve?
Endoscopic sinus surgery uses a small camera and instruments passed through the nostrils. The surgeon opens affected drainage pathways and removes obstructing tissue or polyps where needed.
The extent of surgery is tailored to the disease. Improving access to the sinuses can also help prescribed rinses and topical treatments reach the areas that need them.
Surgery does not necessarily remove the tendency to inflammation. Ongoing treatment may still be needed, particularly when polyps or other inflammatory conditions are present.
Recovery and Possible Risks
Temporary congestion, mild bloody discharge, discomfort and fatigue can occur after surgery. Follow-up visits assess healing and may include cleaning away crusts or retained material.
Your surgical team will explain when to resume rinses, sprays, work and exercise. Recovery varies with the extent of treatment.
Risks include bleeding, infection, scarring and persistent or recurrent symptoms. Rare complications include injury around the eye or a cerebrospinal fluid leak. These should be discussed during surgical planning.
When Should You Seek Urgent Help?
Seek urgent medical assessment for swelling around the eye, double vision, reduced vision, a severe worsening headache, neck stiffness or confusion.
Discuss Your Symptoms
Contact the clinic to arrange an assessment for persistent or recurring sinus symptoms and discuss whether medical treatment or surgery may be appropriate.
This information provides general guidance and does not replace an individual medical assessment.
Back to all procedures