During a nasal endoscopy, our physicians at the NYSI have the experience, skills, and specialized instruments to perform in-office sinus and nasal cultures and suctioning. Microbial cultures are used to detect the presence and type of bacteria or fungi present in the nose and sinuses and to guide treatment. Testing involves obtaining a sample of pus which is then grown in the lab to identify the offending bacteria/fungi and this is then tested to determine which antibiotics work best.
This procedure can be indicated in instances where patients have been treated unsuccessfully with numerous courses of antibiotics and/or sinus surgery. These patients may continue to suffer from thick discolored nasal discharge or post-nasal drip. In these settings, it is often recommended to obtain cultures directly from the sinuses to guide further treatment. Our physicians at the NYSI will use their expertise to perform a thorough examination well into the nasal cavity and sinuses, and not only take cultures but also remove the infected mucus with suctioning to improve symptoms.
Once cultures are obtained they are sent to microbiology labs. The results often take 5-7 days, but can provide very important information regarding bacterial growth and suggested antibiotic treatment options. Scientific studies continuously show that culture directed therapy is extremely effective when treating sinus problems.