Functional endoscopic sinus surgery in patients with normal computed tomography scans.

Abstract

Eighteen patients were operated on by functional endoscopic sinus surgery who had no ostiomeatal unit obstruction on computed tomography scan and had unremarkable paranasal sinuses. These patients also had no apparent ostiomeatal unit obstruction on diagnostic nasal endoscopy. Data were collected on these patients regarding the impact of very limited functional endoscopic sinus surgery on their principal complaint of recurrent sinusitis with facial pain/headache thought to be of sinogenic origin. Sixteen patients (88.9%) had a reduction in the number of sinus infections requiring antibiotic therapy. This reduction was significant at p < 0.0001. Twelve of 14 patients whose facial pain/headache was believed to be of sinogenic origin had a significant reduction in severity (95% confidence interval, 49.2% to 95.3%). We discuss the role of reversible nasal mucosal disease in the pathophysiology of recurrent rhinosinusitis in this patient population. This was a very small, select group of patients who had specific complaints and had had medical treatment failures. This therapy is not recommended for every patient, but only a select few with classic complaints of sinus headaches or recurrent sinusitis and negative computed tomography scans.