No abstract

The use of the balloon dilating catheter has been a divisive topic in the rhinology community. This commentary addresses shortcomings that are commonly remarked upon by opponents of this technology and reviews the clinical history of the device as detailed in the literature. The reported orbital and cranial complications are described, and the major complication rate per sinus is calculated at 0.0035%. Most importantly, the balloon dilating catheter is stressed as being a unique instrument that can be used to enlarge a sinus ostium and dilate a sinus outflow tract in the most mucosal-sparing method possible, regardless of whether it is used in conjunction with standard instrumentation or as a stand-alone device.

Endoscopic middle meatal cultures have a high concordance with MSAs.

Endoscopically guided aerobic cultures in postsurgical patients with acute exacerbations of chronic rhinosinusitis most commonly grew S. aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci, and pseudomonal species. These cultures altered antibiotic treatment management decisions in a significant number of cases regardless of patients' clinical characteristics or history of previous culture.

The limitations of endoscopic resection of inverted papilloma of the frontal recess can be managed with staged procedures. Initial endoscopic resection of ethmoid/maxillary disease with subsequent open treatment of the frontal sinus has been successful in our experience.