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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Sinusitis / March 2004Turbinate question
I have been having sinus problems for a few years now, and they seem to be getting progressively worse. I have trouble breathing through the left side of my nose, have green-yellow discharge, pain under the eyes, and headaches on the left side of my head. I have been using Rhinocort for a while, with not great results. I went to see an ENT, and had a CT scan done. The ENT told me that my turbinates were about twice the size of normal. He said there was no signs of sinus problems, disease on the CT scan. He recommended that I have my turbinates reduced in size. He said that he uses a method in which a small incision is made, and then the turbinate is reduced from the inside. He uses a tool that rotates and cuts, and sucks out the junk. There is no damage to the mucous or cilia. He said the surgery would probably be good for 10 years or so. If I go ahead and have the surgery done, would it help alleviate some of my other symptoms? I have been irrigating daily, and it helps. But the irrigation does nothing for my breathing problems. I'm wondering if I should see an allergist before I decide to have surgery. Thanks for your time. I don't normally respond to messages posted here, but in this case, I think it might be important to ask about an MRI. It's my understanding, perhaps incorrectly, that CT scans don't show soft tissue well, and so there can be things going on in your sinuses that might not show up. Also, over the years I've seen a couple of messages from people who greatly regretted having turbinate surgery. Whether it was reduction or removal, I don't recall. Some ENTs might be a bit hasty in recommending surgery. You might want to get some other opinions on your condition and recommendations for treatment. Best wishes, Bruce This is a standard procedure that is being used and good results are reported. You can go for years and try stuff, allergy, etc etc but theoretically if your problem is enlarged turbinates that won't shrink otherwise, this is a technique that should work. Someone suggested an MRI. We don't use them in Sinus evaluation because they are too sensitive and show up a bit of mucus as horrible disease. Best wishes, Murray Grossan, M.D. http://www.ent-consult.com >I have been having sinus problems for a few years now, and they seem to be >getting progressively worse. I have trouble breathing through the left side [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] >irrigation does nothing for my breathing problems. I'm wondering if I should >see an allergist before I decide to have surgery. It is widely done but you need t have it done by someone who has a very good reputation and leaves the mucus layer intact. Should you have it done? Possibly yes. Should you have it doen by the first ENT who recommends it? No. >> I have been having sinus problems for a few years now, and they seem >> to be getting progressively worse. I have trouble breathing through [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > Should you have it done? Possibly yes. > Should you have it doen by the first ENT who recommends it? No. I think you're saying I should see another ENT, and get his opinion? The first ENT I went to is very good, from what I hear about him. He assured me that the mucous layer cilia would not be damaged by this procedure. Thanks >I think you're saying I should see another ENT, and get his opinion? In general, second opinions should be obtained priot to any surgery. I was not aiming the comment at your doctor in particular, about whom I have absolutely no knowledge or information. > The >first ENT I went to is very good, from what I hear about him. Well as long as you can verify that. one way or another....... >He assured me >that the mucous layer cilia would not be damaged by this procedure. That is what one wants... >> I think you're saying I should see another ENT, and get his opinion? > > In general, second opinions should be obtained priot to any surgery. > I was not aiming the comment at your doctor in particular, about whom > I have absolutely no knowledge or information. This would be my first surgery ever( well...since has my tonsils taken out 30 years ago) and I'm not sure what the best way of gathering information is. I'm going to go back to my GP and see what he has to say. Maybe he has someone else he can refer me to for a second opinion. >> The >> first ENT I went to is very good, from what I hear about him. > > Well as long as you can verify that. one way or another....... Does one ask for references?? I really don't know anybody personally who has had this procedure done. >> He assured me >> that the mucous layer cilia would not be damaged by this procedure. >> > That is what one wants... >This would be my first surgery ever( well...since has my tonsils taken out >30 years ago) and I'm not sure what the best way of gathering information >is. I'm going to go back to my GP and see what he has to say. Maybe he has >someone else he can refer me to for a second opinion. Prersonally, I don't think that is the best approach. Doctors have circles of friends and so forth. If you're going to get another opinion, I would get it from a prominent sinus surgeon at a University Medical center that I identified myself. >Does one ask for references?? I really don't know anybody personally who has >had this procedure done. I don't know. I do my own research to identify the best doctor in a field and see him. What I am giving you is a bit of a counsel of perfection. 90% of people probably just have it done by the first ENT they come across. And for most people that works ut fine. I am just pointing out that there are some risks to that approach. > >This would be my first surgery ever( well...since has my tonsils taken out > >30 years ago) and I'm not sure what the best way of gathering information [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > people that works ut fine. I am just pointing out that there are some risks > to that approach. You're absolutely right about that. My first sinus surgery was by "the first ENT" whom I came across. Big mistake. The remaining three surgeries have been by a highly-regarded ENT who teaches at a major university hospital, and I have had much better outcomes (even though his first foray into my sinuses required serious revision of the first ENT's clumsy work). It's worth taking the time to research. >> This would be my first surgery ever( well...since has my tonsils >> taken out 30 years ago) and I'm not sure what the best way of [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > prominent sinus surgeon at a University Medical center that I > identified myself. Sounds like a good idea.....I'll have to do some checking around. >> Does one ask for references?? I really don't know anybody personally >> who has had this procedure done. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > And for most people that works ut fine. I am just pointing out > that there are some risks to that approach. And thats why I told the ENT I wanted to think about it before deciding. He didn't push the surgery, he just wanted me to know it was an option. He had it done himself not too long ago. Maybe I should've aksed who did his :) Thanks for your time...and every one else who answered!! This group has been a big help to me. |
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