Cone beam CT is a much lower radiation 3D imaging technology that gives us a very clear picture of our sinuses as well as the cervical spine, temporomandibular joints, teeth, airway and bone. 

These are two patients with identical symptoms, sinus and facial pressure that persisted and did not change with medication. Check out this video.

normal sinus versus filled left maxillary sinus

The take away from these two similar cases is that imaging was very helpful in establishing our diagnosis. One had no presence of sinus disease or infection but sinus pressure while the other had obvious signs of infection of multiple sinuses and was referred back to his ENT for a surgical consult. The underlying cause of the sinus pain without signs of sinus infection was determined to be the neck. Treatment to the neck resolved the patient’s symptoms.

If sinus pain is not responding to medical interventions and if the Cone Beam CT is negative check the neck. There are usually other signs present that the neck is not working optimally and the underlying cause.

Symptoms to look for…

Self manipulation of the neck

Stretching and changing head position throughout the day

Neck stiffness and tension

Headaches that get worse throughout the day or upon waking

Trying more than two pillows in the last month

For more on Cone Beam CT check out this video.

How do you know you have a sinus infection? What if your pain and pressure continues even after antibiotics? A Cone Beam CT will show if you have a sinus infection or disease. If it shows that your sinuses are clear then your symptoms are being referred from your neck.