Is a cat scan worth it?
My nose has been looked at with a camera... and my ENT said there was nothing wrong. What can a cat scan show that a camera cant?

Does anyone know?

I am not sure what the difference would be. The Cat Scan is pretty extensive I guess I have had it done and they rotate you all around and take pics of your sinuses. It is expensive even with insurance and it seemed a big waste to me (had to try it though). My Dr. wants me to have another one because she is clueless about what to do with my sinus infection problem. I have a real problem because how much could my sinuses have changed in a year or two and just because she doesn't know what else to do... it isn't cheap!

tissie1 and crossmyheart<3,

A CT scan allows for the doctor see zones of infection of bone degradation in your sinus cavities as a result of chronic sinusitus. Also it allows for a cut away series of images that will show any structural defects thaat might be the source of chronic ear and sinus infection.

The camara can only visualize the larger sinus cavities not the smaller back ones. Having a CT scan is a must when trouble shooting sinus problems. My son is 3 and he has had two. My husband and I have had a few CT scans before. Personally I have had four CT's in the last 10 years and can see how chronic infections are wearing away at my sinus cavities as time progresses... hence I am due to have a full endioscopic surgery with sinus window insertion in all of my sinuis cavities as well as the removal of me T & A's (tonsils and adnoids).

If your doctor recommends a CT he is trying to eliminate problem sources and you should have it. This is just my personal opinion due to personal experience. I am not a medical doctor.

Respectfully Yours,
MG

Thanks MG as always!

My husband strongly urges me not to have it done because every test I have ever had has been expensive and has not shown anything. Granted I can see your point of view but I wish there was more to "trying" some antibiotics and then going to tests! I guess they are are just trying whatever they can think of to help but it is so frustrating.

I wish there was some all natural/holistic methods of helping.

Being a chemist/chemical engineering/comp.engineer I tend to favor science over holistic care methods... this does not mean holistic care is bad in my opinion... just harder to evaluate and study. I have heard that accupuncturist and chiropractors can aide in curing sinus infections. I have not personally met anyone that has had a success down this avenue, but would be interested in anyone elses opinion and experiences with this form of treatment.

Also my insurance doesn't cover holistic care methods so bring on the big shinny machines!

In your case, Tissie1, I would recommend an aggressive run of antibiotics... Doxycycline, while nasty nausea side effects is a generic drug and thus... much cheaper. Most ENT prescribe atleast 30 days of antibiotics, because sinus infections are dark cavity infections with low blood flow... i.e. it takes along time to get antibiotics in to treat the area. Now this is based on your current sinus infection post. Do you have more than 4 sinus infections a year? If that is the case there may be a structural issue like I have which inhibits proper sinus drainage... then I would recommend seeing an ENT at least for an initial evaluation.

Respectfully Yours,
MG

I have tried accupunture for my acid reflux but saw no worthy improvement. I haven't tried a chiropractor but was told my back is curved. I lean more towards herbs and those types of things but often get scared off because you have to becareful with those things too.


My insurance doesn't cover it either until after you pay so much on your own I think.


Well I would rather pay more and get a drug that would cause nasty nausea I am not that worried about the cost! Missing work would hurt the pocket more! Although my employer has been nice about it up to this point. I always was under the assumption that the less antibiotics the better but then again I have never really used them. No I never get sinus infections like this... this is my first infection to this magnitude that I can't get rid of... usually I have pressure and mucous, PND and smelly breath and it comes and goes but this is insane! I saw an ENT last year but he just looked up my nose and said it looked ok and that he was just for people that were in trauma or something. My doctor sent me to him for allergy issues but he wasn't into that part of it.

Well if this is your first sinus infection in a long while... You just need to hit it hard with some anti-biotics and hope for the best. A blood test can be preformed an this would allow for the determination that the infection was either bacterial/viral in nature. If the blood work comes up clean... then you need to see about determining if it is a fungal infection.

Sounds like you need a new ENT recommendation. Find who your MD would send a child too... they have to be skilled to handle children's needs.

The post nasal drip, bad breath, and sinus pressure are all indicators of allergic rhinitus/chronic sinusitus. The lack of fevers and sinus infections point toward allergic rhinitus or a rare allergic response condition to pollutants and irritants like smoke (Vasomotor rhinitus) . In the case of allergic & vasomotor rhinitus the treatment is the same... possible shot treatment, anti-histamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays.

Hope you got Ceftin and are taking it as needed.
Best Wishes,
MG

To Crossmyheart,

I posted a detailed definition and discription of CT(Cat scans) and MRI in the cheek mass thread, yesterday. You can look there for further information if you desire. Hope I was able to help.

Thank you. I will look at it soon.