Rhinology is the treatment of diseases and disorders affecting the nasal cavity and sinuses.
This may include allergies, a blocked nose or nasal congestion, obstructed nasal airflow, and sinusitis. Such disorders require specialised diagnosis, care and sometimes intervention. Some problems may require consultation with a Rhinology specialist like me for investigation and treatment.
A blocked nose and/or nasal congestion can affect a child’s quality of life. There are many causes of nasal obstruction. In children, large adenoids (like tonsils) at the back of the nose are often the cause. The consequences of blockage or congestion are dry mouth from mouth breathing, poor sleep, difficulty exercising, impaired sense of smell or snoring. Diagnosing and treating the causes are crucial to optimal nasal functioning.
Chronic rhinosinusitis is an inflammatory disease of the paranasal sinuses that occurs in up to 5% of Australians and may significantly decrease quality of life. Chronic rhinosinusitis is defined by the presence of at least two out of four main symptoms (i.e., facial pain/pressure, hyposmia/anosmia, nasal drainage, and nasal obstruction) for at least 12 consecutive weeks of symptoms. Chronic rhinosinusitis may also include the presence of nasal polyps.
Septoplasty is an operation to correct a deformity in the divide between the two sides of the nose (the septum). Typically performed to improve nasal breathing, the procedure may also be used to allow adequate visibility of the inside of the nose for treatment of polyps, inflamed tissue, tumors or bleeding. Submucous resection of the inferior turbinates (SMRIT) is a procedure to treat the symptoms of nasal obstruction (stuffy nose), as a result of chronic turbinate hypertrophy.