What Do All These Medical Terms Really Mean?

As with any specialized process, sinus surgeons have their own vocabulary. We hope these definitions help you better understand what we do at The Sinus Center^TM. If you find your questions are not answered here, please ask one of the associates at our center. We are here to help make your path to sinus health as informative as possible.

Nasal Endoscopy ~~ a special exam of the nose and sinuses. This involves looking through a special small diameter tube with magnification. This may be a rigid tube of glass or a flexible bundle of fibers. This instrument magnifies and allows a very detailed view of the nose and sinuses. This is usually part of a complete nasal and sinus exam. A numbing medicine (anesthetic) is sprayed into the nose, and a second spray is added to shrink the membranes of the nose and sinuses. This exam is performed in the office, and is also part of any surgical procedure of the nose and sinuses.

Computerized Tomogram (CT scan or CAT scan) ~~ a computer-created view of the nose and sinuses that cuts the sinus passages into small sections. This allows a much more detailed view of anatomy than regular x-rays. The exam is performed with the patient lying on a scanner table. The scanner table passes through the opening of a doughnut-shaped x-ray tube. Both ends of the doughnut are open to the air. Usually, the patient is lying face down during the scanning process. The exam usually requires about 5 - 15 minutes, is painless, and provides great detail of sinus anatomy, allowing for a more complete nasal and sinus exam.

Endoscopic Sinus Surgery ~~ the most commonly performed method of modern nasal and sinus surgery using small diameter lighted endoscopes; An endoscope is an instrument that allows a magnified, lighted view inside (endo) of an anatomic structure such as the nose or sinuses. All approaches to the sinuses are made through the inside of the nose. No incisions are made on the outside of the face. There usually is no facial bruising evident after surgery.

Specific parts of sinus surgery are named for the sinus actually operated on. An -"ectom y" literally means to remove. In sinus surgery, openings are actually made in the sinus walls to enlarge the small cavities of the sinuses into larger openings. This allows better drainage of fluids, and allows the sinuses to ventilate air better.

Ethmoidectomy ~~ opening the sinuses between the nasal septum and the inner wall of the eye.

Maxillary Antrostomy ~~ enlarging the opening, or ostium, into the sinuses located in the cheeks, above the teeth and below the eyes.

Sphenoid Sinusotomy ~~ enlarging the opening into the sinuses located behind the ethmoid sinuses. These sinuses are behind the eyes, and below the front of the brain cavity. They are the least often infected or blocked sinuses.

Frontal Sinusotomy ~~ enlarging the opening into the sinuses located in the forehead bone, above each eye. This sinus opens into the front of the ethmoid sinus on each side of the nose.

Nasal Polypectomy ~~ removal of swollen membranes of the sinuses or nose, often seen with severe allergies, or chronic irritation. The mucous membranes often become swollen, and filled with fluid. They look like "white grapes." They are often removed as part of sinus surgery to allow appropriate drainage of the nose and sinus cavities.

General Anesthesia ~~ Relief of sensation or unpleasant discomfort by rendering the patient unconscious. This is usually accomplished with both medicines injected into a vein through a small plastic catheter, and by breathing a gas into the lungs. A small tube in placed into the windpipe of the patient to support breathing during general anesthesia. Usually, general anesthesia is reserved for larger, more involved diseases of the nose and sinuses. The length of time of unconsciousness is usually one to two hours.

Monitored Sedation Anesthesia ~~ A type of relief of pain and discomfort often used for nasal and sinus surgery. A small catheter is inserted into a vein in the arm in the pre-anesthesia room. Medicine is injected into the vein to make the patient very sleepy and relaxed. After arrival into the operation room, larger doses of medicine are given through the veins to render the patient into a light sleeping state. During this time, local anesthesia of the nose and sinuses is accomplished by injection of medicines like those used in dental care, such as xylocaine (Lidocaine^®). During monitored sedation, the patient is able to respond to questions, but awareness is greatly reduced. In this type of anesthesia, recovery time is very short. This is the most common type of anesthesia used for nasal and sinus surgery in The Sinus Center^TM.

Nasal Septoplasty ~~ An operation performed on the structures that divide the left and right nasal cavities. This is usually done to help relieve blockage of nasal airflow. The bones and cartilage may be crooked, or deviated, due to previous injury or simply development during puberty. This is often performed during sinus surgery to help improve breathing through the nose.

Turbinate Reductions ~~ Membranes on the outer walls of the nasal cavities surround very delicate bones that act to increase the mucous membrane surface area. These membranes may become very swollen in conditions such as allergies or chronic nasal and sinus disorders. The size of the membranes is often reduced during nasal or sinus surgery to allow greater airflow through the nose.

Sinusitis ~~ an "itis" or inflammation of the membranes of the paired sinus cavities which occupy the facial bones. In this condition, usually the openings of the sinuses become swollen and blocked, so that the mucus produced in the sinuses becomes trapped. Over time, the membranes become thickened due to the chronic inflammation, and further blockage may occur. During swelling, air may actually become trapped in the sinus cavities, and result in facial pressure or pain. If the mucus becomes trapped, and bacteria start to grow in the mucus, this is acute bacterial sinusitis. This is best treated with antibiotics if symptoms do not clear with time after a cold or viral infection of the upper airways.

Rhinitis ~~ an "itis" or inflammation of the membranes of the nose or "rhino". This is often seen with the common cold, changes in the weather, allergies, or irritation from substances such as smoke. Symptoms of rhinitis are clogged nasal passages, drainage from the nose, and colored drainage due to over growth of bacteria in nonflowing nasal mucus. Rhinitis may lead to sinusitis.

These are the major terms you may encounter in our discussions about nasal and sinus surgery. If you have other questions, or terms are not clear, please ask a professional of The Sinus Center^TM. We are here to help you better understand how to relieve your symptoms.