The Johns Hopkins Sinus Center provides state-of-the-art evaluation and management for patients of all ages with sinus and environmental allergy disorders in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. metro areas. Our doctors have a broad range of experience and expertise in diagnosing and managing general sinus cases as well as more complex sinus and environmental allergy conditions.
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Baltimore: 443-997-6467
Bethesda: 301-896-3332
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Our ServicesConditions and Treatments
Our center offers treatments for patients suffering from from conditions affecting the sinuses. Learn more about each conditions and what to expect at your appointment and treatments we offer.
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- Sinusitis
- Aspirin- Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD)
- Nasal polyps
What to Expect at Your Appointment:
Our specialists have a thorough discussion with you about your medical history and perform a comprehensive physical examination.
Your doctor may recommend a nasal endoscopy and a CT scan to diagnose you.
Your doctor may also recommend medical therapy including sinonasal irrigation, antibiotics and nasal steroids, are often combined with other novel therapies to improve or eliminate sinonasal symptoms. Endoscopic sinus surgery and balloon sinuplasty is used for patients with persistent sinusitis despite adequate medical therapy and severe nasal polyps caused by chronic inflammation.
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- Nasal Obstruction
- Septal deviations and turbinate hypertrophy
What to Expect at Your Appointment:
Our specialists have a thorough discussion with you about your medical history and perform a comprehensive physical examination.
Your doctor may recommend treatments that would include medical therapy, septoplasty, inferior turbinate reduction, and various nasal valve procedures.
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What to Expect at Your Appointment:
Our specialists have a thorough discussion with you about your medical history and perform a comprehensive physical examination.
Your doctor may recommend avoidance of the allergens that are causing the problem as treatment for rhinitis. The symptoms of rhinitis sometimes look like other conditions or medical problems.
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What to Expect at Your Appointment:
At the Johns Hopkins Sinus Center, our team, focuses on environmental allergies; specifically those allergies caused by:- Dust mites
- Pollen
- Ragweed
- Mold
- Animal dander
It is important to be treated by a doctor who has expertise and experience in diagnosing and treating allergies, as allergies can contribute to many other disorders such as sinusitis, ear infections and hoarseness.Same Day ResultsAt the Sinus Center, a patient can expect to be seen for allergy testing and know their results within the same day. Exams will usually include:- A thorough clinical evaluation, including complete medical and family history, as allergies tend to have a genetic component.
- Allergy testing: This is accomplished by skin testing in the office, where a small amount of several allergens are tested on the patient’s skin. Results are available 20 minutes after the test is placed.
- Individuals who are not candidates for skin testing can have blood tests for allergies.
- A CT scan: Your doctor will use this imaging scan to look at your nasal airways and sinuses.
- Endoscopy: Your doctor will use an endoscope carefully examine the inside of your nose to assess other possible conditions such as nasal polyps and sinusitis.
Seasonal and Environmental Allergy Treatments:Treatment options for allergies include:- Medications such as antihistamines or nasal steroid spray.
- Immunotherapy in the form of either:
- Shots (injection immunotherapy)
- Oral drops (sublingual immunotherapy)
- Changing your behaviors/ environment. This may include frequent cleaning and avoiding places where allergens are present in high volume. After allergy testing is complete and the doctor has identified the triggering allergens, your doctor can discuss other changes that may be helpful in controlling allergy symptoms.
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- Paranasal sinus tumors
- Nasal and sinus cancer
- Neoplasms
What to Expect at Your Appointment:
Our specialists will have a thorough discussion with you about your medical history and will perform a comprehensive examination of the ears, nose and throat, head and neck. We will use lighted instruments to examine the nasal cavity. Any imaging studies you may have already had will be reviewed and a biopsy may be performed in clinic if clinically indicated. Our specialists may review malignancy cases in our multi-disciplinary tumor board conference with experts in neuro-radiology, pathology, radiation and medical oncology.Treatment for nasal and sinus cancer may include a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. -
What to Expect at Your Appointment:
Our specialists have a thorough discussion with you about your medical history and perform a comprehensive physical examination.
Your doctor may recommend imaging tests which may include MRI scans and CT scans.
Your doctor may also recommend treatments such as a CSF Leak closure or an endoscopic sinus surgery.
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What to Expect at Your Appointment:
The Sinus Center works in conjunction with ophthalmology to treat eye disorders. During your appointment our specialists will have a thorough discussion with you about your medical history and perform a comprehensive physical examination, including nasal endoscopy (using a thin camera to see within the nose and sinuses). Your doctor may also recommend a CT scan.Most patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction (blocked tear duct) or Graves’ disease have been previously evaluated by an ophthalmologist. If not, a referral will be made to a Johns Hopkins Oculoplastic surgeon for consultation.Following your evaluation, your doctor will discuss treatment options and work with you to develop a treatment plan.- Treatment for a blocked tear duct may include dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR).
- Treatment for Graves’ orbitopathy may include orbital decompression.
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Smell and taste disorders are common and may occur in a variety of situations. There are different types of problems that may occur with either the sense of smell or taste, that range from diminished smell or taste to complete loss of smell or taste. Sometimes patients report that their sense of smell is altered.
What to Expect at Your Appointment:
At the Johns Hopkins Sinus Center, our specialists will have a thorough discussion with you about your medical history and will perform a comprehensive physical examination.In addition to a history and a physical examination, nasal endoscopy is often performed during your visit to better look at the nasal and sinuses passages. Your physician may also suggest that you undergo a CT or MRI scan of the nose and sinuses in certain situations.Your doctor may also recommend other smell tests based on your condition. It may take several visits with your doctor to fully determine the cause of your symptoms.
Why Choose the Johns Hopkins Sinus Center
Research
Johns Hopkins Sinus Center is one of the most robust centers for rhinology research in the country. Patients have the choice to opt-in in the largest NIH-funded research, which is aimed to improve patient's quality of life.
Highly-Trained Specialists
When you choose the physicians at Johns Hopkins, you benefit from fellowship-trained specialists with vast experience treating sinus and environmental allergy disorders.
Comprehensive Care
We offer each patient a thorough and comprehensive approach that encompasses medical, surgical and behavioral treatments to improve your quality of life.
History and Leadership
Johns Hopkins has played a prominent role in the history of Rhinology in the United States.
The Importance of Smell and Taste
Sinus surgeon, Nicholas Rowan, M.D. discusses how the senses of smell and taste play a vital role in our lives. As we age, these senses can diminish, and research is showing that this can be a barometer for overall health.
Clinical Trials
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Full name: A Phase III, Randomized, Blinded, Controlled, Parallel-Group Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of LYR-210 for the Treatment of Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS) in Adults (LYRA)
Goals: This global, multicenter study will be conducted in a randomized, controlled, parallel-group, participant-blinded fashion in approximately 180 symptomatic adult CRS participants who have failed previous medical management. Participants enrolled in the study will include participants who have accessible and intact middle meatuses. The efficacy and safety of LYR-210 matrix (7500 g) versus a control group receiving a sham procedure will be assessed on a background therapy of daily saline irrigation. Participants will be randomized 2:1 to either treatment with LYR-210 or to control.
Eligibility: Adults with clinically diagnosed chronic rhinosinusitis who have failed previous medical management
Primary Investigator: Nicholas Rowan, M.D.
Contact: Cassie Firestone, Research Coordinator (410-502-5129)
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Full name: A randomised, double-blind, parallel group Phase III study to assess the efficacy and safety of 100 mg SC depemokimab in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) –ANCHOR-2(depemokimAb iNCHrOnicRhinosinusitis) (GSK)
Goals: This study is to assess the efficacy and safety of depemokimab 100 mg SC over a 52-week treatment period +SoC given once every 26 weeks as add-on maintenance to participants with CRSwNP.
Eligibility: People ages 18 and older with Chronic Rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) may join.
Primary Investigator: Nicholas Rowan, M.D.
Contact: Claudia Lee, Research Study Coordinator | 410-502-8209
Climate Change, the Environment and Rhinologic Disease
Johns Hopkins rhinologist, Jean Kim recaps recently published research and reviews undertaken by a work group that found a relationship between climate change, its effects on the environment and particular rhinologic diseases.
