Every year, many Las Vegas residents suffer with miserable coldlike symptoms, but they don't actually have colds. They have sinusitis, a common condition that occurs when bacteria block the sinuses, resulting in infection.

Some people have just one episode and feel better when the infection and swelling go away. Others have chronic sinusitis that lingers three months or longer.

"Changes in the weather and cooler temperatures can trigger sinusitis," says Randall Weingarten, MD, an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat [ENT]) specialist on staff at Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center. "People in Las Vegas also may be prone to sinusitis because of the increasing pollution, high rate of smoking and large number of tourists who visit the area."

Dr. Weingarten is on staff at Desert Springs Hospital and performs computed tomography (CT)-guided sinus surgery to treat certain patients with chronic sinusitis. This type of surgery is typically reserved for patients who didn't respond to noninvasive treatments, have antibiotic-resistant forms of sinusitis or have structural problems in their nose or sinuses (the hollow spaces in the bones that surround the nose) that make them susceptible to sinusitis.

Before CT-guided sinus surgery, patients have a CT scan of their skull while wearing a helmet equipped with sensors to "register" their anatomy. During the surgery, they also wear this helmet. Sophisticated computer software integrates the information from the sensors in the helmet -- from the CT scan and during surgery -- as well as from the surgical instruments, which also have sensors.

During the procedure, the surgeon views two monitors. One is connected to an endoscope inserted into the patient's nose to provide a direct, magnified view of the surgical site. The second monitor, which shows the CT scan, offers a more detailed "map" of the entire skull and "tracks" the location of surgical instruments.

Surgeons use both monitors to maneuver surgical instruments through nasal passages and sinuses to remove diseased tissue, nasal polyps and other obstructions that prevent sinuses from draining properly.

"CT-guided sinus surgery helps us perform safer and more precise surgeries," says Dr. Weingarten. "This innovative technology gives us much broader views of the skull and helps us avoid complications."

Symptoms of Sinusitis

• Facial pain or pressure
• Nasal congestion
• Thick, yellow-green nasal discharge
• Fever
• Headache
• Pain in upper teeth
• Bad breath

To learn more about this and other services available at Desert Springs Hospital, please visit www.desertspringshospital.net or call 733-8800.

The Valley Health System c/o Valley Hospital Medical Center 620 Shadow Lane Las Vegas, NV 89106