Patient Education

Frequently Asked Questions

Short, simple answers to the questions patients ask most, grouped by condition. Tap a question to open its answer.

Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Do I really have chronic sinusitis?

Is chronic rhinosinusitis the same as acute sinusitis?

Will I definitely need surgery?

Can it come back after surgery?

Acute Sinusitis

Is acute sinusitis the same as chronic sinusitis?

Complex Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Does complex sinus disease always require surgery?

Can sinus disease come back after surgery?

Why are cultures sometimes taken?

Nasal Polyps

What causes nasal polyps?

Are nasal polyps cancer?

Can medicine shrink polyps without surgery?

What about biologic therapy?

Can nasal polyps come back after surgery?

Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Are the results of sinus surgery permanent?

Fungal Sinusitis

Does finding fungus in my sinus mean I have an invasive fungal infection?

Do all types of fungal sinusitis need antifungal medication?

Can fungal sinusitis come back?

Is fungal sinusitis contagious?

Deviated Nasal Septum & Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy

Is a deviated septum common?

Can enlarged turbinates come back after treatment?

Do I always need both septoplasty and turbinate surgery?

Smell Disorders

Can my sense of smell come back?

How long should I do smell retraining therapy?

Do I need to use rose, lemon, eucalyptus, and clove?

Why does food taste different when I lose my sense of smell?

Why do familiar smells suddenly smell unpleasant or burnt?

CSF Leak (CSF Rhinorrhea)

Is every clear runny nose a CSF leak?

What if the leak is small and I have no other symptoms?

Will I need brain surgery?

Can CSF leaks come back after repair?

Do I need antibiotics until surgery?

General questions

What Is a Rhinologist?

What Are the Sinuses?

What Is the Skull Base?

When Is MRI Needed?

Nosebleeds: Common or Concerning?