Sinusitis (Sinus Infection) Slideshow Pictures Nasal Allergy Relief Products Slideshow Pictures 10 Common Allergy Triggers Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Surgery

Some people experience chronic sinusitis despite adequate therapy with antibiotics and drugs for relief of symptoms. Those that have a CT scan indicative of sinus infection as well as those with any complications of sinusitis may benefit from sinus surgery.

• The surgery is performed endoscopically using a fiberoptic nasopharyngoscope.
• The goal is to remove obstructive mucosal tissue, open the sinus-nasal passageway, and allow drainage of the sinuses.
• During the surgery, nasal polyps can also be removed, and a crooked nasal septum can be straightened, leading to improved airflow.
• Long-term nasal steroids and periodic antibiotics may still be necessary.

A continuing sinus infection may need further investigation. A culture obtained during a routine office visit or during endoscopic surgery may reveal anaerobes, a type of bacteria that grow in the absence of oxygen, which require treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotic drugs, or fungi, which require treatment with antifungal medications.