Dr. John Ditto, an ENT Specialist at Richmond Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers, has highlighted the evaluation process for patients with unresolved chronic sinusitis. "Patients with unresolved chronic sinusitis are evaluated through history, imaging, and anatomical review," he said in a statement made on Instagram.
"First thing we'll do is get a history, physical exam, we'll get a CT scan," said Ditto, according to Instagram. "Then I'll examine the patient and just take a look at what might be causative factors. Some of it could be incomplete surgery or missing sequence of ostium. They opened a normal fontanelle instead of opening the true maxillary ostium so that the drainage is off."
Incomplete sinus surgeries have been identified as a leading cause of persistent symptoms in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. According to a 2024 study published in Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology, missed or improperly opened sinus ostia can lead to ongoing inflammation and poor surgical outcomes. The study further notes that revision surgery is frequently required due to inadequate initial anatomical correction.
Nearly 29 million adults in the United States are diagnosed with sinusitis each year, according to national health statistics. Chronic sinusitis often results in reduced quality of life and significant healthcare utilization. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists it as one of the most common chronic conditions affecting American adults.
Balloon sinuplasty has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative to traditional sinus surgery. Healthline reports that this procedure uses a balloon catheter to widen blocked sinus passages, improving drainage without cutting tissue. Most patients reportedly recover quickly, often resuming normal activities within 24 to 48 hours.
Dr. Ditto is a board-certified Otolaryngology Head and Neck surgeon who earned his medical degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine, where he received the Student National Medical Association Outstanding Achievement Award. He completed his residency and fellowship in otology at the University of Michigan, with research published in the Archives of Otolaryngology. Ditto is also a fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery and the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy. He has served on the Board of Examiners for the State of Missouri and has been recognized multiple times as a Richmond Top Doctor.
Richmond Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers is led by Dr. Ditto, offering minimally invasive procedures such as balloon sinuplasty to provide lasting relief for patients suffering from chronic sinusitis. The practice emphasizes personalized care plans tailored to individual patient needs, aiming to improve overall quality of life through effective treatment strategies.
