The frontal sinuses are located above the eyes and behind the forehead. These sinuses typically drain mucus into the nose through a narrow passageway between the base of the skull and the eye. These sinuses can be affected by a variety of diseases, including:
- Inflammatory diseases
- Nasal polyps
- Bacterial or fungal infections
- Benign or malignant tumors
- Structural problems of the sinuses themselves
These sinuses in particular remain the most difficult to treat surgically because of their location and complex anatomy. You may need to have a CT Scan to help your ENT physician determine the most effective course of treatment. Symptoms of frontal sinus disease can include:
- Nasal congestion
- Nasal drainage
- Repeated sinus infections
- Decreased sense of smell
- Frontal headache
- Vision changes
- Deformity of the eye or forehead
There are a variety of surgical techniques that have been developed to treat the frontal sinuses, including anterior ethmoidectomy, balloon sinuplasty, endoscopic frontal recess dissection, and more advanced endoscopic and external techniques. The surgical technique used to treat the frontal sinus is usually dictated by the specific disease affecting the sinus, and will be discussed with you prior to surgery. Your ENT physician will be happy to discuss these surgical options and answer any questions you may have.
Once surgery has been successfully completed, proper postoperative care is important to maintain proper long term drainage from the sinus into the nose. Because of the difficulty in treating these sinuses, revision surgery is sometimes required for relief of symptoms.
At the Raleigh Capitol Sinus and Allergy Center, our experienced surgeons will promptly evaluate your frontal sinus condition with care and compassion. After a thorough evaluation and review of test results, a full range of treatment options will be discussed with you to help you decide which option is best for you. For an appointment contact us.