DANVILLE — Only 2,400 surgeons across the nation are trained to treat sinusitis with balloons. But they’re not throwing any parties.
Brendan Kluszynski with the E.N.T. Group at Hendricks Regional Health is an ear, nose, and throat physician. He said balloon sinuplasty, a fairly new treatment to treat sinusitis, was approved by the FDA in 2004 and approved for pediatrics patients in March of 2008.
“There are over a dozen practices that use it in Indiana,” Kluszynski said. “We trained for it in late 2007.”
The group was established over 20 years ago and are based in Danville. The physicians of the group are general otolarygologists, and the most common surgical procedures performed include tonsillectomy, placement of ear tubes, surgeries for snoring and sleep apnea, sinus surgery, and surgeries involving the thyroid and salivary glands. The group also ffers full hearing services including hearing testing and hearing aid sales and services.
The doctors of the E.N.T. Group are among a select number of physicians in the Indianapolis area performing the sinuplasty procedure to treat sinusitus.
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinus lining that is normally caused by bacterial, viral, or microbial infections. It can also include structural issues such as the blockage of the sinus opening. If proper draining can’t take place, an infection can incur. Symptoms include facial pain and pressure, nasal blockage, discharge of mucus from the nose, loss of sense of smell, headache, and fatigue.
The traditional treatment for sinusitis involves endoscopic sinus surgeries removing tissue that is blocking or preventing adequate drainage of the sinuses. Patients recovering may require nasal packing , experience nasal drainage or minor bleeding, and may require narcotic pain medication.
The benefit to the balloon sinuplasty, says E.N.T. physician Scott Curry, is that it involves less pain, less and sometimes no packing, and there is a faster recovery time.
“The process takes anywhere from five to 30 minutes,” Curry said.
Kluszynski likens the technique to angioplasty, and notes that not all sinuses can be done with this particular balloon technique.
“There are four sets of sinuses,” Kluszynski said. “Three of the four can be managed.”
The balloons are about five to seven millimeters wide and 12 to 24 millimeters long. A sinus guide catheter and a flexible guidewire are inserted through the nostrils to access the infected sinus. The catheter is positioned across the blocked sinus and inflated. The sinuplasty system is then removed, leaving an open sinus passageway and restoring normal drainage within the sinus. In most cases, no packing is required and postoperative recovery is faster when compared to traditional techniques.
“We’ve had some very positive feedback,” Curry said. “Healing only takes a couple weeks and recovery is a lot faster.”
Both physicians stress, however, that this procedure is not for everyone.
“People need their primary care doctor to give them a good evaluation,” Kluszynski said. “All that is nasal is not necessarily sinus-related. Sinusitis sometimes requires intervention, but only after failed medical therapy.”
The E.N.T. Group is located at Hendricks Regional Health and all patients are cared for locally. To schedule an appointment, call 745-3758.
jamie.hergott@flyergroup.com
Local News
Related Photos
-
Kluszynski
-
Curry
Sinus doctors use balloon technique
- Local News
-
-
County looks to battle water illnesses
The week prior to Memorial Day serves as National Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week.
-
Howie Mandel to serve as 500 honorary announcer
Howie Mandel, standup comedian and judge on “America’s Got Talent,” will serve as honorary announcer for the 96th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on May 27.
-
Why do young white women risk cancer to be tan?
A CDC report out this month found that nearly one in three white women aged 18 to 25 had used a tanning booth in the previous year. White women aged 18 to 21 went the most often, averaging 27.6 sessions per year—that’s over two sessions per month—while nearly 70 percent said they had gone at least 10 times in the last year.
-
BCSC raises $30,000 for Race for the Cure
Basketball season may have ended a few months ago for the Bulldog community, but the school system decided to give the Susan G. Komen Foundation one extra large, record assist as they recently announced raising $30,000 in the Race for the Cure fight against breast cancer.
-
Drive for Damon golf scramble set
A golf scramble to raise money for disabled former Ben Davis High School basketball star Damon Parks is set for 1 p.m. June 3 at Riverside Golf Course in Indianapolis.
-
Brownsburg fights back with Relay for Life
For 24 hours, it will be non-stop community versus cancer in town as the Relay for Life event will takes place. The event will start at 5 p.m. June 1 at the Brownsburg West Middle School track.
-
Dawes, county celebrate retirement
The impact that Dennis Dawes has left on Hendricks Regional Health will not be soon forgotten.
-
Young racing team plants roots and more in Brownsburg
When Belardi Racing decided to uproot its operation and move to Hendricks County, they got the idea that maybe they should put some roots down.
-
500 Festival celebrates with breakfast event
With practices and qualifications going on at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Saturday was a busy day for everyone involved.
-
Relay returns
With battling cancer and raising awareness in mind, the Wayne Township area hosted its Relay for Life this past weekend at the Chapel Hill 7th and 8th Grade Center.
- More Local News Headlines
-
County looks to battle water illnesses
Astrodome Fades As Houston Decides Fate
Egyptians Vote in Historic Presidential Election
Franciscan Files Tell Stories of Priest Abuse
Wildfire Destroys 2 Homes
Flight Diverted After Suspicious Note
Joplin Remembers Deadly Tornado, 1 Year Later
Panel Recommends Against Routine Prostate Test
Fired Lingerie Employee Claims Discrimination
Joplin Marches to 'Remember' Tornado Victims
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
Cuba Waiting for Cyber Age to Come
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
Sheriff: DNA Links Suspect to Missing CA Teen
US Airways: Diverted Flight Has 'Landed Safely'
Revived Focus on Regulation After JPMorgan Loss
