Sinus / Balloon Sinuplasty

Advanced, Minimally Invasive Sinus Surgery

We have provided quality care for patients in central Alabama for over 15 years. We are experienced sinus surgeons and use the latest technology to ensure the best treatment and outcome for our patients. Balloon Sinuplasty is the latest advancement in sinus surgery. This procedure opens the nasal sinuses, allowing them to drain better, and relieves the facial pressure and pain associated with sinus infections. Balloon Sinuplasty is effective, safe, and because it is minimally invasive, your recovery is shorter with significantly less post-operative discomfort. Contact our offices at 205.414.1368 for an evaluation, and let us help you get the relief you deserve.

Balloon Sinuplasty

Do you need an antibotic for a sinus infection?

Sinus FAQ

What is sinusitis?

The nasal and facial sinuses are the air-filled cavities that surround our eyes.  Located above, below and in-between our eyes, the sinuses are lined with a thin membrane called mucosa. Sinusitis is an inflammation of the mucosa, and the two main causes of sinusitis are allergies and infection. 

Allergic Rhinitis/Sinusitis

Allergies do not turn into infection, but if left untreated, can create an environment within the nose and sinuses that can allow a sinus infection to develop. For many patients, allergies are a chronic seasonal or perennial medical condition that should be treated daily. Treatments include medications, nasal saline rinses, immunotherapy (allergy shots or sublingual drops), and sometimes surgery.  

Infectious Sinusitis

The majority of sinus infections are viral, and treatment is management of symptoms.  However, if symptoms worsen by day five, or have not resolved in a week, then the infection may be bacterial.  In addition to treating the symptoms, an antibiotic is then indicated. If a patient has multiple sinus infections a year, a visit to McCool and Bhuta ENT is indicated so that the cause can be identified, and a treatment plan enacted.  

When do I need an antibiotic for a sinus infection?

Although most respiratory infections, including the common cold and sinus infections, are caused by viruses and thus won’t respond to an antibiotic, some sinus infections may be caused by bacteria.  In these cases, an appropriate antibiotic is indicated. 

Acute Sinusitis

Contrary to a widely held belief, the color of your mucus does not necessarily differentiate between a viral or bacterial infection.  The primary decision to begin an antibiotic for an acute infection is based on the duration of symptoms. If the severity of the symptoms, such as increased nasal congestion and drainage, facial pressure and pain, and post-nasal drainage worsens over a week, or if symptoms persist for over a week, then a course of antibiotics may be indicated.  However, if these symptoms are just on one side, then a bacterial infection is more likely, and a course of antibiotics may be started sooner.  

Chronic Sinusitis

An infection lasting longer than 10-12 weeks indicates a chronic infection.  Initial management will include appropriate antibiotics, decongestants, and possibly steroids to reduce the inflammation associated with prolonged infection.  In addition to treating the infection, a further workup to identify the source of the infection is indicated. This may include a CT scan of the sinuses and allergy testing.  For some patients, sinus surgery to drain the infected sinuses may also be required. Over the past ten years, we have successfully treated hundreds of our sinus patients with the Balloon Sinuplasty technique.  Call our offices to schedule an appointment and we can help relieve your chronic sinusitis symptoms.

What is Balloon Sinuplasty?

Balloon Sinuplasty is a breakthrough procedure that relieves the pain and pressure associated with chronic sinusitis. It is used by surgeons to safely and effectively treat chronic sinusitis patients who are not responding well to medications such as antibiotics, nasal steroids, or over‐the‐counter (OTC) drugs, and are seeking relief from uncomfortable and painful sinusitis symptoms.

1) Balloon Sinuplasty is similar to angioplasty, whereby balloons are used to open blocked arteries. It is a catheter-based system, and is FDA approved. The procedure is less invasive than traditional sinus surgery, and it allows most patients to return to normal activities quickly.

2) With Balloon Sinuplasty, a specially‐designed catheter is inserted into the nose to reach the inflamed sinus cavity. A small balloon is slowly inflated, which widens and restructures the walls of the sinus passage. The trapped mucous within the sinus is drained, but the natural structures within the nose and sinuses are preserved. This allows for minimal to no bleeding or scarring, which in traditional sinus surgery can lead to further blockage of the sinuses.

3) Balloon Sinuplasty can be performed in the office or as outpatient procedure. Balloon Sinuplasty has been used to treat more than 160,000 patients since receiving FDA clearance, and is covered by most insurance companies and Medicare. If you suffer from chronic sinusitis and are not responding well to medications, contact McCool and Bhuta Ear Nose and Throat Specialists to determine if Balloon Sinuplasty is right for you.

For more information about Balloon Sinuplasty, visit www.balloonsinuplasty.com.

How does Balloon Sinuplasty work?

Balloon Sinuplasty is similar to angioplasty, whereby balloons are used to open blocked arteries. It is a catheter-based system, and is FDA approved. The procedure is less invasive than traditional sinus surgery, and it allows most patients to return to normal activities quickly.

With Balloon Sinuplasty, a specially‐designed catheter is inserted into the nose to reach the inflamed sinus cavity. A small balloon is slowly inflated, which widens and restructures the walls of the sinus passage. The trapped mucous within the sinus is drained, but the natural structures within the nose and sinuses are preserved. This allows for minimal to no bleeding or scarring, which in traditional sinus surgery can lead to further blockage of the sinuses.

Balloon Sinuplasty can be performed in the office or as outpatient procedure and has been used to treat more than 160,000 patients since receiving FDA clearance, and is covered by most insurance companies and Medicare.

Drs. McCool and Bhuta are experienced sinus surgeons and use the latest technology to ensure the best treatment and outcome for their patients. Contact our offices for an evlauation by  to see if you are a candidate for Ballon sinuplasty. Call us at 205-414-1368.

How do I know if I am a candidate for balloon sinuplasty?

Take the SNOT-20 Test also known as the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test

The following questionnaire is intended to help define your symptoms and provide valuable information and insights for your doctor. Answer the questions, rating to the best of your ability the problems you have experienced over the past two weeks.  Then, call us to schedule an appointment. Dr. McCool or Dr. Bhuta can discuss your score and determine if Balloon Sinuplasty is a treatment option. 

Download the Test

What is a deviated septum?

The nasal septum is the midline supporting wall inside your nose, dividing the nasal cavity into halves.  The front portion of this natural partition is firm but bendable, just like the tip of your nose, and is made mostly of cartilage.  The deeper, more posterior part of the septum is a thin wall of bone.  

Many patients will have a septum that is slightly off-center but is usually asymptomatic. A deviated septum occurs when the septum is severely shifted away from the midline. The most common symptom is nasal obstruction- difficulty breathing through your nose on one or both sides. In some cases the deviated septum can interfere with the drainage of the sinuses, resulting in repeated sinus infections. 

Other symptoms include frequent nosebleeds, facial pressure and pain, and mouth breathing.  


If the nasal obstruction caused by the deviated septum does not respond to medication, then septoplasty is the preferred treatment to correct a deviated septum. This procedure is performed in the operating room, and may remove the deviated portion of the septum or reposition the septum in the middle.  

 

 Drs. McCool and Bhuta are Board Certified Otolaryngologists-Head and Neck Surgeons, each with over 15 years of experience. If you are suffering from nasal congestion, facial pressure and pain, or frequent nosebleeds, then you may have a deviated septum. Contact McCool and Bhuta Ear Nose and Throat Specialists to schedule your evaluation.

Contact McCool and Bhuta
for more information or to schedule an appointment.
205.414.1368

3055 Independence Drive   |   Homewood, AL 35209
205.414.1368   |   info@entbirmingham.com

3055 Independence Drive
Homewood, AL 35209

205.414.1368
info@entbirmingham.com