Aspire

Lloyd May was someone who had sinus issues from a young age. He admits he's had trouble breathing all his life. He asked friends and family which ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist to see, and the answer from everyone he talked to was "Dr. Dale Chilson."

"I was so impressed by his reputation and years of experience, I felt I could trust him to provide excellent care," Lloyd says. "He was extremely professional and knowledgeable, and I could tell right away that he was the right choice for me."

Surgical solutions for sinusitis

Nearly 40 million Americans experience sinusitis each year. Usually, sinus-related problems can be managed successfully with medications. However, there are times when symptoms are so severe or disruptive to quality of life that surgery becomes an option. The good news is that many of the procedures performed today involve techniques that are less invasive. Another innovation patients can benefit from is computed tomography (CT) image-guided sinus surgery.

"Lloyd had a specific type of sinusitis due to long-standing fungus in his sinus," Dale Chilson, DO, FAOCO, explains. "Additionally, he couldn't breathe well through his nose. The second procedure utilized CT image guidance, and it was straightforward. With enhanced technology and my years of experience, I opened the sinus and removed all the fungal debris. I then fixed his nasal septum, which allows him to breathe easier."

Expert care at GRHC

Grant Regional Health Center is proud to offer the innovation of image-guided technology to improve the safety and overall effectiveness of traditional endoscopic surgical procedures that may be performed on patients with sinus conditions. Image guidance is a near-three-dimensional mapping system that combines CT scans and real-time information about the exact position of surgical instruments using infrared signals. With this, Dr. Chilson can navigate surgical instruments through complex sinus passages and provide surgical relief more precisely.

"I was lucky to have my son drive me to Lancaster from Princeton," says Lloyd. "When you have confidence in your physician, the three-hour drive and anticipation of the surgery really didn't bother me or make me nervous. I was more excited about the possibility of being able to breathe easier and better in the future. That's what I was concentrating on!"

"I was very pleased with how everything went," he continues. "I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't experience any of the typical aftereffects. I had little to no swelling, no black and blue eyes, and no discomfort."

"I have encountered these issues many times before," says Dr. Chilson. "I am just happy that he feels so much better!"

Several weeks after the procedure, Lloyd notes that he is enjoying a newfound ability to breath much easier than ever before in his life. He reports that he is sleeping better too. "It's amazing how my quality of life has improved! My only regret is that I didn't do this much sooner."

Categories: Ear, nose and throat,Patient stories