Nose News

Press Release April 17, 2008

Cleveland physician, Howard Levine, MD,
Lead author in Chronic Sinus Study that may help millions
Research Verifies Balloon Sinuplasty™ Technology Is Safe, Patient-Friendly, Economical

Cleveland, OH – April 17, 2008 – An independent study published this week in Annals of Otology, Rhinology, & Laryngology confirms Balloon Sinuplasty™ technology safely opens narrow sinuses, is economical and highly satisfactory to chronic sinusitis patients. The peer-reviewed study analyzes the outcome of more than 1,100 individuals treated with this minimally-invasive balloon technology, Balloon Sinuplasty™ from Acclarent, a leading developer of innovative medical technologies for ear, nose and throat surgeons.

On behalf of the 34 surgeons who took part in the Annals of Otology, Rhinology, & Laryngology study, Dr. Howard Levine, director of the Cleveland Nasal, Sinus and Sleep Center said, “The results from these studies reinforce the outstanding safety record of Balloon Sinuplasty™ technology, and underscore its effectiveness in alleviating chronic sinusitis symptoms. Results were universally excellent across a large population of patients and dozens of different practices.”

Studies Confirm Balloon Sinuplasty™ Benefits
Chronic sinusitis is an inflammation of the nasal sinuses afflicting an estimated 37 million Americans annually. Symptoms include facial pain or pressure, nasal discharge, difficulty breathing through the nose, and fatigue. Although antibiotics and topical steroids can help many people, approximately 500,000 U.S. patients undergo surgery each year to alleviate the symptoms of chronic sinusitis.

Balloon Sinuplasty™ technology is similar in concept to catheters used in the heart for balloon angioplasty. The specially designed devices are threaded into the sinus passageways and gently inflated, widening the passages to promote drainage and resolution of chronic sinusitis symptoms. The technology can be used alone or with standard surgical instrumentation.

Recovery times vary but patients frequently return to normal activities within 24 hours of treatment. Since 2005, more than 2,500 sinus surgeons have been trained world wide on this technology and treated more than 25,000 patients.

Acclarent, Inc. is a privately held medical device company in Menlo Park, CA that was established in June of 2004. Its singular focus is improving patient care in all areas of otolaryngology by developing and producing medical devices solely for Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialists and their patients. Acclarent is demonstrating this by investing in innovative technologies, clinical studies, and physician training. The company received FDA clearance to market Balloon Sinuplasty™ technology in early 2005.

For a conversation with Dr. Levine, call 216-518-3298. www.clevelandnasalsinus.com.
For more information, visit www.acclarent.com.

Download Press Release

Howard Levine in the News (balloon sinuplasty video)

Balloons Bring Sinus Relief

• Click here to read this article Forbes.com

Sinus Sufferers Benefit From Balloon Surgery

• Click here to read this article USA Today.com

Sinus Management Innovation Leads to an Evaluation in Practice Patterns

Howard Levine, M.D., Director of the Cleveland Nasal-Sinus & Sleep Center, is one of the world's pioneers in the development of advanced nasal endoscopic diagnostic techniques, functional sinus surgery, and advanced applications for managing nasal and sinus disease. Click here to read more about what Dr. Levine describes as a "new technology [that] opens the door for better patient. care ...and quick recovery with minimal discomfort allowing patients to return to all of their normal routines in a very short time." Download the pdf to read the full Issue

Best Doctors in America Press Release

HOWARD L LEVINE, MD NAMED ONE OF THE BEST DOCTORS IN AMERICA®

September 26, 2007 Cleveland Ohio Howard L. Levine, MD is one of the Best Doctors in America® for 2007-08. Dr. Levine was elected by his peers for inclusion in Best Doctors in America from 1992 to 2008.

Compiled by Boston-based Best Doctors, Inc., the Best Doctors in America® database is the result of an exhaustive survey of more than 40,000 physicians in the United States. Only those doctors recognized to be in the top 3-5% of their specialty earn the honor of being named one of the Best Doctors in America®.

Over the last 15 years, Best Doctors has earned worldwide acclaim for its remarkable database of physicians. The Best Doctors database is the world's premier effort to create a validated, peer-reviewed database of excellence in medicine. The Best Doctors methodology is rigorously impartial and strictly independent. Doctors cannot pay to be included in the database and are not paid to complete the survey. The only way to be recognized as one of the Best Doctors in America® is for a doctor to earn high marks for clinical ability from his or her peers.

About Best Doctors, Inc.

Best Doctors, Inc. is the world leader in connecting people with the best medical care.
Best Doctors services help dramatically improve quality of care by bringing the clinical knowledge of the world’s top specialists to the problems of people with serious medical conditions. By making sure individuals get the right diagnosis and treatment the first time, Best Doctors reduces complications and avoids ineffective treatments—and as a result eliminates unnecessary spending. Founded in 1989 by doctors affiliated with Harvard Medical School to provide doctor-to-doctor consultations for complicated cases, Best Doctors has grown into an international company providing services to 10 million people in 30 countries. For more information please visit www.bestdoctors.com

Dr. Houser writes forward to book:
"Having Nasal Surgery? Don't You Become An Empty Nose Victim!"

The "Empty Nose Syndrome" is a term coined by Eugene Kern, MD, at the Mayo Clinic.  It refers to the fact that a patient's CT scan looks empty, or devoid of normal tissue, following  nasal surgery, specifically turbinate excision.

Read more of Dr. Houser's rhinology, allergy and sinus pages here
Read more about the book here

Seasonal Breathing Hints

All Year Long

Smoking

Smoking irritates all of your nasal passages and aggravates vasomotor rhinitis, allergic rhinitis and asthma. Smokers snore more than non-smokers. Second hand smoke--the smoke from a burning cigarette--contains over 4,000 different chemicals, at least 40 of which are known to cause cancer. Second hand smoke aggravates vasomotor rhinitis, allergic rhinitis and asthma. Second hand smoke is dangerous for children causing them more ear infections. Generally, children exposed to second hand smoke get sick more often than children not exposed.

Winter

Moist air from humidifiers can relieve stuffy nose. Patients with sinusitis, vasomotor rhinitis and congestion report symptomatic relief after inhaling warm humidified air.

Nose bleeds are usually caused by a dry nose. Moisturize with Eucerin Lotion®, Ponaris Oil®, AYR Nasal Gel®, or Nose Better®, Breathe Ease XL Gel®.

Dry nose? Try an over-the-counter saline nasal spray.

Summer

Allergic rhinitis or hay fever? Check on allergy shots and possible medications.

Nose News Newsletters

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