Nose

I have a special interest in the nose and sinuses. Nasal obstruction is a common complaint with multiple causes such as allergy, adenoid hypertrophy, nasal polyps, chronic rhinosinusitis and septal deviation to name but a few. Appropriate and up-to-date medical therapy and sometimes concurrent surgery can provide dramatic results.

Adenoidectomy is a common surgical procedure. I use a newer technique utilising suction diathermy ablation which is literally bloodless and in my view safer, more controlled and a complete solution.

Inferior turbinoplasty is another common procedure to relieve nasal obstruction caused by inferior turbinate hypertrophy that is not amenable to medical therapy; this new technique avoids the delay in healing and crusting that is usually seen in other techniques.

Facial pain, post nasal drip, loss of smell and facial congestion are often associated with disease of the nose and sinuses.

Endoscopic sinus surgery has evolved over the last few years, offering minimally invasive resection of bone and soft tissue to restore sinus drainage.

I spent 18 months in Glasgow in the United Kingdom learning advanced techniques in nasal surgery and especially rhinoplasty, a technique to restore form and function to the nose. Both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery is offered.

Treatment of bleeding noses (epistaxis) is performed in the rooms under local anaesthetic, as is treatment of broken noses.

Christchurch Allergy Clinic

Before the Covid pandemic we offered a combined service involving rhinology and allergy run by Dr Tom Kuruvilla and Dr Jessica Tattersall. Dr Jessica Tattersall is an allergist and medical rhinologist. She graduated from the University of Sydney with honours in 2003. Allergy is a complex multifactorial chronic disease that may severely impact the quality of life. Allergic rhinitis has become increasingly more common in New Zealand and if treatment is managed there is an increased risk of allergic asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis.

Before the pandemic, we were offering allergy consultations including skin prick testing provided by Jessica. Currently, Jessica is available remotely to support those people who have already started treatment with oral desensitisation. Tom Kuruvilla is available to consider those people who may want to consider sublingual immunotherapy(SLIT) to orally desensitise and develop tolerance to the offending aero allergen such as dust mite, grass, tree, cat, dog and horse et cetera. We can organise a blood test to test sensitivities to the above allergens. A follow-up consultation regarding an allergic trigger will also be organised. We can order and initiate SLIT if appropriate for you.

Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT):

Although the benefits of immunotherapy may be experienced as early as 8 weeks, treatment continues for a minimum of 3 years. The allergy sufferer develops tolerance over time and symptoms will be significantly reduced or disappear entirely. Sublingual immunotherapy is easy to use, taken by the patient daily at home and requires no needles. Allergen immunotherapy may slow or halt the “allergic march” and the progression of symptoms. It may also benefit in reducing the risk of coexisting -disease states such as chronic sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis, and aids in avoiding the reliance on nasal steroids and antihistamines for symptom control.

We look forward to being of service to you and your patients.

The cost of sublingual immunotherapy is approximately $1200 - $1600 per year for approximately 3 years. Cost specifically depends on the type and amount of immunotherapy required. Some people may need longer treatment to develop appropriate allergen tolerance.