News for Your Health
A clinically proven, minimally invasive technology for treating chronic sinus inflammation is now
available at Albany ENT & Allergy Services. The Balloon Sinuplasty™ system by Acclarent™ 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 U.S., afflicting 37 million
Americans each year. Patients suffer headaches, congestion, fatigue and other symptoms. This
condition significantly impacts an individual’s physical, functional, and emotional quality of life.1
Until recently, sinusitis patients were limited to two treatment options: medical therapy such as
antibiotics, topical nasal steroids and allergy management or conventional sinus surgery such
as Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS). Medical therapy can help alleviate symptoms
for 75-80% of patients but is inadequate for the rest. For them, sinus surgery is often the best
option. FESS is a conventional surgery that requires bone and tissue removal in order to open
up blocked sinus passageways. In lieu of a desired treatment, more than 600,000 patients elect
to live with painful sinus conditions.2
Now, there is an evolution in endoscopic sinus surgery with the Balloon Sinuplasty™ technology
by Acclarent™. 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. Balloon Sinuplasty™ is often times
performed in conjunction with traditional FESS.
Dr. Gavin Setzen is one of the first physicians in this area to offer this technology. He says,
“The Balloon Sinuplasty™ devices are a true advance in sinus care because in many cases it
can be done without removing any tissue or bone. That means faster recovery times and less
post-procedure discomfort. In fact, many of my patients have been able to return to normal
activities within 24 hours and have had significant improvement in their symptoms.”
The international, multi-center study, CLEAR3, published in the July 2007 issue of the
prestigious journal, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery4, confirmed earlier rigorous clinical
validation that the Balloon Sinuplasty™ instruments by Acclarent™ are safe and effective for
opening blocked sinuses. The CLEAR study reported 24-week results on 109 patients, which
demonstrated:
- 0% adverse event rate
- 96.9% successful ostial dilation
- 98% observed ostial patency rate
- 81% overall patency rate (17% of ostia indeterminate due to anatomical preservation)
- Clinically and statistically significant improvement in patient symptoms5
Sinusitis patients who are considering their options can learn more about the Balloon
Sinuplasty™ technology by contacting Albany ENT & Allergy Services at 518 701 2000 and
www.albanyentandallergy.com or by visiting
www.balloonsinuplasty.com.
1 Anand V, Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 113: 2004
2 Acclarent, Inc. estimates based on U.S. Census Bureau; Shashy, et al., Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2004, 130: 320-323;
Benninger, Otolaryngol Head and Neck Surg 2003, 129S: S1-S32; Hamilos, J Allergy Clin Immunol 2000, 106:213-27; Discussions with
Acclarent advisors; notes on file.
©2006-2007 Acclarent, Inc. All rights reserved. Acclarent and Balloon Sinuplasty are trademarks and CLEAR is a service mark of
Acclarent, Inc. MKT00612 Rev. D
Nasal saline rinses for irrigations are a simple, cost-effective, well-tolerated means of improving nasal hygiene in patients with chronic rhinitis (nasal irritation and inflammation) and sinusitis. Rhinosinusitis is one of the most chronic diseases in the United States and is often associated with allergy and asthma.
The use of nasal irrigation for the treatment of nose and sinus complaints has its foundations in yogic and homeopathic traditions. There has been an increasing use of saline irrigations, douches, sprays and rinsing as an adjunct to medical management of chronic rhinosinusitis, and in many patients this is all that becomes necessary for maintenance of symptom relief. Nasal saline irrigations are a safe, effective and well-tolerated intervention that provides symptom relief in many patients. We've included instructions for
home nasal saline rinses.
Albany ENT & Allergy Services is pleased to announce the availability of videostroboscopy, a state-of-the art technique that provides a magnified, slow-motion view of the vocal cords in action. It enables our physicians to make an accurate diagnosis of conditions and diseases of the vocal cords, including lesions or masses, inflammation, broken blood vessels, scarring, abnormal motion and other voice disorders. Anyone who is experiencing chronic voice problems such as hoarseness, breathiness, vocal fatigue, decreased vocal range or pain while talking may be a candidate for videostroboscopy testing. Most of these vocal problems are the result of abnormal patterns of vibration of the vocal cords.
The examination is conducted with a small, angled telescope that is placed in the mouth. The patient is then asked to say certain sounds to make the vocal cords vibrate. This vocal cord movement is recorded by the speech pathologist so it can be reviewed later. The examination lasts only a few minutes and is not painful. The patient will be able to view what is happening on the video monitor. After a diagnosis has been made, your doctor at Albany ENT & Allergy will recommend a treatment plan, which may include medication, vocal exercises with the speech pathologist and in some cases, surgery. For more information on this service, please contact Susan Hare, MS, CCC-SLP Speech Pathologist at 518 701 2011.
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