Technology State Sports AP Sports AP National AP World AP Search Today'n Hist. Breakthrough technology offers hope to chronic sinusitis sufferers August 2000 S urgery is almost always a last resort, no matter what the medical problem is.
Physicians favor trying less invasive treatments first, such as medications.
The same policy holds true when someone suffers from chronic sinusitis, or inflammation of the sinuses. Dr. Timothy Smith demonstrates how he uses an imaging system to assess a patient's sinus cavities in three dimensions. Dr. Timothy Smith, associate professor of otolaryngology and communication science at the Medical College of Wisconsin, said about 95 percent of his patients are those with chronic sinusitis who have tried many available treatments, but have received little or no relief. Most of his patients come to his office when they've just about run out of hope. They've probably tried oral medicines, injectable medicines and sprays.