Fall Newsletter 2010
Balloon Sinuplasty – A Breakthrough for Chronic Sinus Infections in Children
A clinically proven, minimally invasive technology for treating chronic sinus inflammation called Balloon
Sinuplasty is now available at The University of Miami. Board-certified ear, nose and throat specialist and
head and neck surgeon Ramzi T. Younis, MD, FACS is one of the first physicians in the area to offer the
new technology, which uses a small catheter and balloon to quickly open and expand blocked sinuses.
“Sinusitis is one of the most common chronic health problems in the United States,” Dr. Younis explained.
“Patients suffer headaches, congestion, fatigue and other symptoms, significantly impacting their physical,
functional and emotional quality of life.”
Until recently, sinusitis patients were limited to two treatment options: medication such as antibiotics and
topical nasal steroids, or conventional sinus surgery. Medical therapy helps 75 to 80 percent of chronic
sinus patients, but it is inadequate for the rest. For them, sinus surgery is the best option. But because
surgery involves painful bone and tissue removal, many patients opt to live with chronic sinus conditions
instead.
“Balloon Sinuplasty represents a real breakthrough in endoscopic sinus surgery,” Dr. Younis said.
During the procedure, a small, flexible balloon catheter is placed through a nostril into the blocked sinus
passageway. The balloon is then inflated to gently restructure and open the sinus passageway, restoring
normal sinus drainage and function. Sinuplasty is performed as an outpatient procedure under general
anesthesia. The Balloon Sinuplasty technology has undergone rigorous clinical validation.
In fact, recent publications demonstrate the safety and favorable clinical outcomes of Balloon Sinuplasty
technology for children. ³˒⁴ More specifically, the multi-center, prospective study published in the
prestigious, American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy³, concluded that sinus ostial dilation using Balloon
Sinuplasty technology in children may be an affective minimally invasive treatment option to relieve sinus
ostial obstruction in the maxillary sinus, and improve patient quality of life.
This study reported:
40% reduction in symptom burden at 52 week follow-up
0 adverse events
Sustained symptom improvement for 87% of patients at 1-year follow-up
“In most cases, Balloon Sinuplasty can be done without removing any tissue or bone, which means faster
recovery times and less discomfort after the procedure. In fact, many of my patients have been able to
return to normal activities within 24 hours and have had significant improvement with their sinus symptoms.”
Fall Newsletter 2010
Fifteen-year-old Olivia Luckie of Miami is evidence of that.
The high school student was plagued with chronic sinus infections last year that cost her nearly a dozen sick
days from school and several sleepless nights.
Although Olivia’s sinus infections would come and go, she constantly suffered from problems while sleeping.
“I was always waking myself up in the middle of the night from the loud roar of my snoring. My Mom said it
sounded like a freight train in my room.”
Antibiotics did little to ease the condition. Eventually she was referred to Dr. Younis, who recommended the
Balloon Sinuplasty procedure.
Olivia had the procedure done in July, and has noticed a significant difference.
“I’m doing great,” she adds.
“Olivia used to have problems making it around the block on the family walk,” added her mother, Lizaida.
“We’re thrilled that she’s doing so much better and that she can finally breathe easier.”
The sinuplasty procedure has a 96 percent success rate in eligible patients.
“If your child suffers from sinusitis, and medication alone has not been effective in relieving their symptoms,
they may be a candidate for Balloon Sinuplasty,” Dr. Younis added.
¹ Benninger, M., Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2003; 129S: S1-S32.
² Gliklich, R., et al, J Allergy Clin Immunol 1999; 113: 104-109.
³ Ramadan, H., American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy, 2010; 24(1): e54-e56.
⁴ Ramadan, H. Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology, 2009; 118(3): 161-165.
Step 1
Introduction of
guidewire into
the sinus
Step 2
Balloon
Dilation of
sinus opening
Step 3
Dilated frontal
sinus opening
and irrigation
Call us today to see if this new technique may be right for you!