Balloon Sinuplasty Specialist

Desert Cities Allergy & Otolaryngology

Allergists & Otolaryngology located in Rancho Mirage, CA & La Quinta, CA

Chronic sinusitis causes never-ending congestion and sinus pressure because the condition doesn’t respond to standard medical care. When you reach that stage, you have an effective option: an in-office, minimally invasive procedure called balloon sinuplasty. At Desert Cities Allergy & Otolaryngology, Majid Torabi, MD, FACS, and Ryan Salvador, MD, have extensive experience performing successful balloon sinuplasty procedures that produce long-lasting results. If you need to find relief from nasal congestion, call the office in Rancho Mirage or La Quinta, California, or book an appointment online today.

Balloon Sinuplasty Q & A

When would I need balloon sinuplasty?

Balloon sinuplasty is one of today’s most advanced procedures for people with chronic sinusitis. Sinusitis develops when membranes inside the sinus become inflamed and block the opening.

These membranes produce mucus that normally leaves through an opening and drains into your nose. When the sinus is inflamed, the inflammation blocks the opening, the mucus gets trapped, and you develop an infection.

The symptoms of sinusitis include:

Nasal congestion
Thick, discolored discharge
Sinus pain and pressure
A diminished sense of smell
Cough
Headache
Fatigue
Postnasal drip

In many cases, sinusitis clears up in a few weeks. You have chronic sinusitis when your inflammation and symptoms last 12 weeks or longer.

What happens during balloon sinuplasty?

Your entire balloon sinuplasty procedure only takes about 30 minutes. During the procedure, your Desert Cities Allergy & Otolaryngology provider guides a thin, flexible balloon catheter through your nose and into the sinus. The catheter has a tiny camera that gives your provider a clear view of the passages inside your nose.

When the catheter is in place, your provider inflates a balloon, which gently opens the sinus and restructures the passage. After cleaning out the sinus with saline (salt water), your provider deflates and removes the balloon. The sinus stays open and can drain normally.

What benefits do I gain from balloon sinuplasty?

When you choose balloon sinuplasty, you don’t need to worry about the risks of surgery. During the sinuplasty procedure, your provider doesn’t cut any bone or tissues to clear the opening as they would do if you had surgery.

Balloon sinuplasty gives you quick results because it immediately opens and clears the sinus. Additionally, most people recover very quickly and return to their daily routine in two days.

Am I a good candidate for balloon sinuplasty?

Before your provider recommends balloon sinuplasty, you have medical treatment for chronic sinusitis. This treatment usually includes steroids, decongestants, nasal irrigation, and antibiotics. Your provider also examines your nasal passages to be sure another problem like nasal polyps isn’t responsible for your chronic sinusitis.

When your symptoms don’t improve with standard treatment, your sinusitis has lasted longer than 12 weeks, or you have four or more sinus infections in a year, it’s time to consider balloon sinuplasty.

If you have ongoing congestion and sinus pain, call Desert Cities Allergy & Otolaryngology or book an appointment online today to explore balloon sinuplasty.

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