What is Chronic Rhinosinusitis and what are polyps? How are the two related? Chronic rhinosinusitis means inflammation of the nasal and sinus lining that has persisted for more than 12 weeks. The common symptoms are nasal congestion, a runny nose, pain or pressure over the cheeks and forehead, and a loss or diminution of smell. The term rhinosinusitis is a combination of…
Continue Reading →

A blocked nose is a common problem that ENT Specialists see and treat. In Singapore, nasal blockage seems to be highly prevalent probably due to the high levels of dust mite allergens (seen in many urban societies) and the excessive use of air-conditioning. The former causes allergic rhinitis and the latter causes vasomotor (or non-allergic) rhinitis. The most common cause of nasal…
Continue Reading →

Sinus surgery for chronic sinusitis is a common operation performed by ENT specialists in Singapore. It is sometimes referred to as Endoscopic Sinus Surgery as the surgery is undertaken without making any external incisions and using fibreoptic endoscopes. The term Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery or FESS is also used which emphasizes that the surgery is minimally invasive and seeks to conserve as…
Continue Reading →

Adenoids are a small pad of lymphoid tissue that sits right at the back of the nose. Lymphoid tissue is an integral part of the immune system. The adenoids, together with the tonsils, make up a ring of lymphatic tissue that encircles the back of the nose and mouth. This ring of lymphatic tissue is often called Waldeyer’s ring. What purpose do adenoids…
Continue Reading →

Sinusitis is the inflammation of the paranasal sinuses. The paranasal sinuses are bony cavities within the skull that communicate with the nasal cavity. The passage from these sinuses to the nose is often narrow and any inflammation of the lining of these passages can cause obstruction. When sinusitis is prolonged and lasts more than 12 weeks, we use the term chronic sinusitis. Chronic…
Continue Reading →

ENT surgeons spend a lot of time seeing patients with sinusitis. In fact, I dare say, that the bulk of the work of a general ENT surgeon is seeing patients with some manifestaton of sinus disease. Indeed nasal sprays are probably the most common medication we prescribe. Allergies or allergic rhinitis which predisposes to sinusitis is often dealt with effectively in primary…
Continue Reading →