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Ayesha Khalid, MD,
an ear, nose and
throat specialist,
performs balloon
catheter dilation, a
minimally invasive
surgical procedure
that opens up the
sinuses and reestablishes
normal
airflow.
New procedure OPENS UP the sinuses
Tiny balloon reestablishes airflow in those with chronic sinus infections
Our sinuses are supposed to be filled with air. But
when they become blocked with fluid, the result
can be a sinus infection, also known as sinusitis.
For some people, the condition appears at the end
of a cold or the flu; for others, it is due to an allergy.
When it keeps happening over time, it is
called recurrent acute sinusitis.
“That is the term we now use when someone has
three or more sinus infections in a year,” explains
Ayesha Khalid, MD, an ear, nose and throat specialist
at Emerson Hospital. “Inflammation is the
problem. Whether the sinus infections are caused
by bacteria, viruses, fungus, polyps or anatomy —
such as a deviated septum — they all have inflammation
in common.” Symptoms of sinusitis
include generalized facial pain, pressure around
the eyes, pain in the upper teeth and thick drainage
through the nose and down the back of the
throat.
“Too often, antibiotics are prescribed but are only
effective for bacterial infections,” notes Dr. Khalid,
adding that there is no way to determine if the infection
is caused by bacteria. “I’ve seen patients
who have been on antibiotics for as long as a
month with no improvement, which doesn’t make
sense.” A recent study confirmed that antibiotic
treatment is largely ineffective for sinus infections.
Another concern, notes Dr. Khalid, is what can
happen when chronic inflammation goes on un-
8
treated. “In some individuals, it can lead to asthma
and bronchitis,” she says.
So what is someone with recurrent acute sinusitis
to do? Dr. Khalid performs a minimally invasive
surgical procedure called balloon catheter dilation
that debuted about three years ago. “With this
procedure, we use a balloon to carefully open up
the sinuses and reestablish normal airflow,” she
says. “Once the sinuses are open, mucus can be
effectively cleared before an infection occurs.”
It is the first sinus surgery that does not remove
tissue and can be likened to angioplasty, which
uses a balloon to clear blockages in coronary arteries.
Data show that symptom improvement may
last for two years.
Carlisle student finally finds relief
Hillary Cook, a 20-year-old Carlisle resident, had
balloon catheter dilation in December 2011, after a
year of almost non-stop sinus infections. “I got
sick with walking pneumonia and never fully recovered,”
she says. “I had a total of eight sinus infections
with a low-grade fever, even in the summer,
despite taking round after round of antibiotics.”
Ms. Cook was highly motivated to get better: during
her year off from college, she planned to spend
four months in Cambodia, beginning in February
2012, working with a Catholic charity. If she wasn’t
healthy, she couldn’t go. “Dr. Stephen Jenkins, my
Healthy again: after having balloon catheter dilation,
Hillary Cook of Carlisle was able to proceed with her
plan to work in Cambodia this past winter.
pediatrician, recommended that I see Dr. Khalid,
who described the procedure to me. I wasn’t expecting
to have surgery, but she explained everything,
including that Emerson has state-of-the-art
technology. Dr. Khalid has a great manner and
immediately put me at ease. I decided to
proceed.”
Dr. Khalid performed balloon catheter dilation,
which requires no hospital stay, as well as septuplasty
to remove cartilage and bone that were further
impeding airflow. Ms. Cook spent a couple of
days recovering and waited for the results. “Within
a week, I felt fantastic,” she says, “and I have remained
healthy and full of energy. I had no idea
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