Just thought I'd let you know that after seeing two ENTs from the
Boston area (one from BI/Deaconess and the other from Brigham & Women,
and having a couple of CTs. I was treated with anti-biotics, PT for
vertigo, I found another ENT who took another CT and told me that my
sinuses were clear, and that my turbinates were swollen. This gave me
the same symptoms as sinus. (stuffy nose, pressure, headache, etc.)
About a 6 weeks ago I had out patient surgery in his office with
temperature controlled radio frequency to shrink the turbinates. The
treated area is naturally absorbed by the body over a period of 3- 8
weeks. The results have been amazing!! I would say that my condition
is 90% improved. This, after years of being miserable with 'sinus
problems'. This doc told me that my sinuses appeared healthy and that
the turbinates were swollen. All of the other docs told me that I had
problems with my sinuses.
I had never heard of the term 'turbinate' until I saw this ENT. It
seems that I've been on a merry-go-round with the other so-called well
known ENT's. I'm sure that this is not the panacea for everyone, but
thought I'd inform you in case any of you (like me) had not heard of
turbinate problems. Check google for more information about turbinates.
HTH someone
Murray Grossan - 03 Mar 2007 16:36 GMT
> Just thought I'd let you know that after seeing two ENTs from the
> Boston area (one from BI/Deaconess and the other from Brigham & Women,
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>
> HTH someone
Yes using radio frequency spares the nasal cilia and is done in the office.
Other approaches are submucous resecton that spares the nasal cilia.
Turbinectomy that removes nasal membranes should be avoided.
truehawk - 03 Mar 2007 19:41 GMT
"I found another ENT who took another CT and told me that my
sinuses were clear, and that my turbinates were swollen. This gave
me
the same symptoms as sinus."
Ur the turbinates ARE part of your sinuses. Take a look.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.noses.org.uk/images/fig7sm.jpg
&imgrefurl=http://www.noses.org.uk/pages/the_nose_anat%2Bphys/normal_nose.htm&h=
239&w=356&sz=97&hl=en&sig2=0ONFTojpdARWnDbrQY337g&start=106&tbnid=ilUpo8AD-BKYxM
:&tbnh=81&tbnw=121&ei=38PpRf_9HqKuaNWTqaAJ&prev=/images%3Fq%3DCT%2BScans%2BSinus
es%26start%3D100%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D20%
26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN
Well anyway they are part of your nasopharynax They are scroll
structures in the air passages in the middle of your head leading back
to your treachea.
In cross section they look like a spirel on either side of your nasal
septum. They have lots of surface area, a rich blood supply and
secrete lots of fluid to humidify the air you breath, and evidently
have a role in oxygen uptake. You take 50% more oxygen from the air
breathing though your nose than through you mouth, and most of that
exchange happens in the turbinates, unless they are smothered in
goo.
And you are very right, Radioablation or Somnoplasty IS a good way to
get rid of a biofilm on the turbinates without destroying them.
I know a few people who have had this done, and have heard no gripes
at all, nothing about post op infection, nothing.