The picture in the right lower quadrant demonstrates the balloon inflating within a sinus drainage pathway. This action occurs while the surgeon is watching through a telescope with the image on a TV screen. The inflation process provides improved drainage from a blocked sinus cavity by widening the drainage pathway. Balloon treatment is not appropriate for all blocked sinuses and can be used with traditional surgical instruments in combination.

This short video displays how a balloon can expand the connection of a blocked sinus cavity into the nose. We can clearly see the balloon expand and displace the surrounding bone to provide a wider communication. This instrument or technique is not appropriate for all blocked sinuses. It can be utilized with or without traditional sinus surgical instruments.