title: A balloon dilatation technique for the treatment of intramaxillary lesions using a Foley catheter in chronic maxillary sinusitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In chronic maxillary sinusitis, pathologic mucosas of the anterior and lateral walls of the maxillary sinus are difficult to remove. Trocar insertion to the canine fossa is the most commonly used procedure. In the present work, we report a method involving a balloon dilatation technique for treatment of intramaxillary lesions using a Foley catheter in chronic maxillary sinusitis and the outcomes of this approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Records of 34 patients with intramaxillary sinus lesions who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery were analyzed. After widening the natural ostium, a 10F Foley catheter was inserted through the widening ostium into the maxillary sinus. The intramaxillary lesion was removed by repeated balloon inflation and deflation of the Foley catheter. The patients were followed-up for at least 6 months after the surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant intraoperative or postoperative complications. We found that the postoperative symptoms and resolution of the lesions in comparison to classic functional endoscopic sinus surgery were not different in authors' experiences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The balloon dilatation technique using a Foley catheter is a minimally invasive and effective technique that is not associated with major complications in cases of intramaxillary lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, Hallym University, #153 Kyo-Dong, Chuncheon, South Korea. hlpch@paran.com
authors.forename: Chan Hum
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hyung Seob
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jun Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Seok Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Seung Kyun
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Young Gil
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Ok Joo
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Tae Hee
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Kang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D057785:Catheters; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015523:Maxillary Sinusitis / Q000601:surgery*; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome