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Sinus clinic
Millions of people suffer from a wide range of sinus problems including blocked nose, facial pain or pressure, poor sense of smell and catarrh each year. These symptoms, in turn, can lead to further problems such as poor sleep, loss of concentration and time off work.
The underlying problem is usually either inflammation of the lining of the nose and sinuses (rhinosinusitis) and / or structural problems such as a deviated nasal septum.
Treatment available for these symptoms include simple medical treatments such as:
- salt water nasal douching
- nasal steroid sprays or drops
- antihistamines (when an allergy is suspected)
- antibiotics
For those that still have significant symptoms, sinus surgery of various kinds combined with ongoing medical treatment may be helpful. Effective treatment depends upon a good understanding of the condition, accurate diagnosis and assessment and selection of the most appropriate treatment for you.
The Edinburgh ENT Sinus Clinic at the Spire Murrayfield Hospital is run by consultant ENT surgeon Mr Alun Williams. Mr Williams is a sub-specialist trained rhinologist practicing at the Spire Murrayfield Hospital and as a Lothian NHS teaching hospital specialist consultant in Edinburgh.
The clinic is equipped with a selection of the latest diagnostic equipment including video endoscopy.
Following accurate diagnosis a full range of medical and surgical options are available to optimise symptom relief for you. While our preference is that your symptoms are well controlled with medical treatments, Mr Williams is also highly experienced in sinus and nasal surgical treatments.
Surgical treatments
Surgical treatments such as endoscopic sinus surgery and balloon sinuplasty are usually carried out as a day procedure and in suitable cases under local anaesthetic.
This surgery involves the removal of inflamed tissue and widening of the sinus drainage pathways combined with ongoing medical treatments. The standard technique for this in modern practice involves endoscopic instruments.
Balloon Sinuplasty is a technique in which a small balloon is used endoscopically to gently widen the natural sinus drainage pathways rather than removing tissue.
This helps restore the natural function of the sinuses and carries a lower surgical risk than conventional endoscopic sinus surgery. As there is less trauma to the nasal passages, recovery tends to be faster recovery. Balloon sinuplasty may not be suitable for all sinus sufferers but for appropriate people represents a low risk day case procedure of considerable potential benefit.
How to make an appointment
The Sinus Clinic is open on Tuesday mornings and alternative Monday afternoons.
Insured patients will need GP referral from their insurers, for self-paying patients, GP referrals is not obligatory.
Consultation is £200, follow up £150 and nasendoscopy £150. Occasionally blood tests and CT scanning may be required, if this is the case, costs will be discussed at the time of the appointment.
For more information or to make an appointment, please call 0131 316 2507.