Sinusitis Treatment in Federal Way, WA

Dr. Ryan Stern and his team have performed hundreds of sinus surgery procedures and can treat any sinus condition more comprehensively than anyone else in the area. Patients travel from all over nearby areas including Renton, Kent, Puyallup, and Maple Valley.

Request Appointment

 Dr. Stern and his team provide comprehensive testing and treatment for chronic sinusitis. Dr. Stern’s patients travel from all over nearby areas including Tacoma, Auburn, and Kent for the best in ENT care. Contact Dr. Stern’s office today at (253) 661-2520 and schedule your consultation today!

What Is Sinusitis?

If you have recurring sinus pain and pressure, you’re not alone. Approximately 31 million Americans suffer from sinusitis. If you’re one of them and continue to battle sinus pain, headaches, and emotional drain for 12 weeks or more no matter what treatments you try, you may be dealing with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

What are the Types Of Sinuses?

To better understand sinusitis, let’s first discuss your sinuses. Within your skull you have four pairs of paranasal sinuses, these are air-filled spaces behind your nose, cheeks and forehead. Inside each sinus is a mucus layer and cells covered with cilia (little hairs) that trap and push out bacteria/pollutants that enter the nasal cavity.

CRS is the inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining of the nasal passages and sinuses.This can stop your sinuses from draining properly. Mucus and fluid build-up in the sinuses can lead to sinus infections, which means more inflammation and pain. The length of symptoms will help to categorize your sinusitis type (see chart below).

Types of Sinusitis

• Acute (Up to 4 weeks)
• Subacute (Longer than 4 weeks but less than 12 weeks)
• Chronic (12 weeks or longer)
• Recurrent acute sinusitis (Occurs 4 or more times in a year, can go away between episodes)

How Will Dr. Stern Diagnose Your Symptoms?

Dr. Stern may ask you questions about your symptoms and health history, and take a sample of your nasal discharge to see what kind of infection you might have. Depending on the exam results, he may recommend other tests. One test lets them examine the inside of your nose with an endoscope (a scope with a light attached)

Computed Tomography (CT) Scan

Your provider may want to use a computed tomography (CT) scan that creates images of the inside of your sinuses. It may help them more accurately diagnose your condition and select the best treatment option for you.A CT scan is also used with our offices’ image guidance system (IGS) to help us navigate your sinuses during in-office procedures.

Symptoms of Sinusitis

• Headaches
• Facial pain or pressure
• Difficulty breathing through the nose
• Nasal discharge that isn’t clear
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Upper tooth pain
• Bad breath
• Nasal discharge that isn’t clear
• Problems Sleeping

Sinusitis Treatment Options

• Rest & Hydration
• Nasal Saline Rinses
• Prescription & OTC Medicines
• Nasal Decongestant
• Intranasal Corticosteroid
• Oral Antibiotics
• Pain Reliever
• Minimally Invasive Balloon Sinus Surgery (BSS

Sinus Surgery Options:

Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS):

FESS is a common surgical method to treat chronic sinus infections. In a FESS procedure, the surgeon uses a magnifying endoscope inserted through the nostrils to see and remove affected tissue and bone. In general, the goal of sinus surgery is to flush out infected material, open up blocked passages, and keep enough healthy tissue intact so that your nose and sinuses can function normally.

Balloon Sinus Surgery (BSS):

Dr. Stern may suggest BSS to help open your sinus passages and relieve your symptoms. This type of minimally invasive surgery can often be performed in the office. A special tool is used to insert a small balloon into your nose. Once secured in the right spot, the balloon is inflated to open and drain your blocked sinus pathways. When the passageway is open, the balloon is deflated and removed. Balloon sinus surgery has been shown to improve general sinusitis symptoms and headaches associated with sinusitis.

Image-Guided BSS:

Like with other types of BSS, your provider will inflate a balloon to clear your sinuses. The difference with image-guided BSS is that your surgeon uses a navigation screen to see a map of your sinuses and the location of the balloon in real-time. So, like GPS on your car or phone, they can see, guide, and place the balloon at the precise point to inflate and unblock your sinuses during this minimally invasive in-office procedure. The NuVent™ EM Sinus Dilation System is the only system designed, tested, and integrated to work with the image-guided Fusion™ ENT Navigation System.

What are the Risks Involved?

Balloon sinus surgery has associated risks, including tissue trauma, bleeding, infection, and possible ophthalmic injury. Patients should always discuss their individual needs and the potential risks and benefits of any treatment or procedure with their ENT doctor.

This therapy is not for everyone. Please consult a healthcare professional to see if this procedure is right for you.

For additional information, please visit Medtronic’s website at www.medtronicent.com. For supplementary information on the NuVent EM Sinus Dilation System please visit www.sinusitissurgery.com.