For selected cases of chronic rhinosinusitis, where there is narrowing of the natural opening (ostium) of one or more of the sinuses, modern technology offers an option, even less invasive than Functional Endoscopic Surgery: The Balloon Sinuplasty.

Under local or general anaesthesia, a soft guide wire is progressed into the sinus. When entry into the diseased sinus is confirmed, a special high pressure balloon is gently pushed around the wire, until it reaches the narrowed ostium. Then it is inflated, dilating the ostium. Any entrapped secretions inside the diseased sinus are drained out. The sinus can be washed out with the same catheter.