Diagnosing and Treating Acute Adult-Onset Sinusitis
Roger Zimmerman, who celebrated his 58th birthday this year, has had “sinus problems” his entire life. He continued to suffer sinus infections seven to eight times a year, and he received steroid shots and antibiotics frequently.
“Finally I got tired of being sick all the time,” he says. “That’s when I decided to have the surgery done.” Zimmerman’s ENT referred him to Martin J. Citardi, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and vice dean for clinical technology at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. He made the three-hour drive to the Texas Medical Center in Houston and was examined by Dr. Citardi, who scheduled him for functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and a septoplasty.
“FESS is generally reserved for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis that persists despite aggressive medical treatment, including antibiotics, oral steroids, topical nasal sprays, and anti-allergy treatments,” Dr. Citardi says. “Mr. Zimmerman’s presentation was nuanced. He had some degree of chronic nasal symptoms that had worsened during the past two years and morphed into classic adult-onset sinusitis. It’s important to recognize the symptoms: production of yellow-green mucus and the sense of having a cold that never goes away. A good surgery can make a dramatic difference for these patients. Their nose and sinuses basically normalize and they make a complete turnaround.”
Zimmerman says he hasn’t had a sinus flare-up since his surgery. “Dr. Citardi knew what he was doing and did a good job. It was all pretty cut and dried. I wanted my nasal passages fixed and he did it.”
Dr. Citardi kept his referring physician in the loop from the initial evaluation through surgery and follow-up. “Often we partner with the referring doctor in treatment,” he says. “Some patients alternate visits between our practice and their local ENT. The ENT community is relatively small, which makes it easy to connect with each other.”