Sinus Surgery in China: Which Scans and Treatment History to Prepare?

Why the scan set matters more than a single image

Sinus surgery planning depends on seeing the anatomy and the pattern of disease across the whole sinus system, not just one slice. A surgeon reviewing your case in China will want the actual image files, not only the radiologist's written report, because the report summarises findings while the images show the surgical corridors, any previous surgical changes and the relationship to nearby structures.

If you have had more than one CT over time, bring all of them. The comparison shows whether disease is stable, improving or progressing, and that changes the conversation about whether an operation is the right next step or whether further medical treatment should be tried first. If you only have a report and no images, say so early so the clinical team can tell you what they need.

• Most recent sinus CT: request the DICOM files on a disc or secure download, plus the written report.
• Any sinus or brain MRI: same principle, images and report together.
• Older CT or MRI scans for comparison, even if they are several years old.
• If imaging was done abroad, ask whether the hospital can accept your disc format or whether a cloud link is preferred.

Treatment history that changes the surgical decision

A surgeon cannot judge whether surgery is reasonable without knowing what non-surgical options have already been tried and how you responded. A list such as 'tried antibiotics' is not enough. The useful version records the medicine or spray, the dose, how long you used it, and whether symptoms improved, stayed the same or returned after stopping.

This matters because endoscopic sinus surgery treats sinus problems through the nose, and the proposed extent, alternatives and individual risks require discussion with the surgeon. If you have never had a proper trial of medical therapy, that is a different discussion from someone who has completed several courses without lasting benefit. Bring the actual medication names as written on the boxes or prescriptions, not remembered brand names.

• Antibiotics: name, course length, dates, and whether symptoms returned.
• Oral or topical steroids: dose, duration, response and any side effects.
• Nasal saline rinses, sprays or drops: which ones, how often, and effect.
• Biologics or other advanced therapies, if relevant to your case.
• Over-the-counter and herbal products you use regularly.

Previous nasal or sinus operations and other relevant history

If you have had nasal polypectomy, septoplasty, functional endoscopic sinus surgery or any other operation on the nose or sinuses, the operative report and pathology report are important. The operative note describes what was removed or opened and whether any unexpected findings were recorded. The pathology report describes the tissue itself, which can influence how the surgeon thinks about recurrence or further treatment.

Other history also belongs in the record set: asthma, aspirin sensitivity, immune conditions, bleeding disorders, current anticoagulant or antiplatelet medicines, and known allergies to anaesthetics or antibiotics. These are not administrative details. They affect anaesthetic planning, medicine management around surgery and the risk discussion. If you have a sleep study, pulmonary function test or allergy panel, include those results too.

• Operative reports from every previous nasal or sinus procedure.
• Pathology reports from any tissue removed.
• Discharge summaries from hospital admissions related to sinus disease.
• Allergy testing results, especially if aspirin or NSAID sensitivity is suspected.
• Current medicine list, including blood thinners, with doses.

A records gap example: what to do when something is missing

Planning example: suppose you have a CT report from two years ago but no images, and you have moved country since. The report may describe mucosal thickening and a deviated septum, but without images the surgeon cannot assess the osteomeatal complex, the frontal recess or previous surgical landmarks. In that situation, the practical step is not to assume you need a new scan immediately. It is to tell the clinical team what you have and ask whether the existing report is sufficient for an initial review or whether updated imaging will be requested after they see your history.

The same logic applies to missing operative notes. If you had surgery years ago and the hospital no longer holds the record, write a short summary of what you remember: the year, the city, the surgeon's explanation, and what changed afterwards. Label it clearly as patient-reported history. It does not replace the formal record, but it helps the reviewer understand your timeline and decide what to request next.

Questions to ask before you send records to China

Before you share anything, ask the coordinating team how records should be transferred, what format the hospital accepts, and whether translation is needed. Do not send passport numbers, payment card details or a complete medical archive in a first message. A brief summary of your main symptom, prior surgery and the question you want answered is enough to start.

When the ENT team reviews your file, useful questions include: does the imaging show disease that is likely to respond to surgery, or would further medical treatment be reasonable first? What extent of surgery is being considered, and what are the alternatives? What should be confirmed about anaesthetic fitness, medicine changes and follow-up before you travel? These answers determine whether the next step is a remote opinion, an in-person appointment or continued local care.

• Which scan format does the hospital prefer: disc, cloud link or printed film?
• Is a translated summary of prior operative notes required, or is the original language acceptable?
• Will the surgeon review records remotely first, or is an in-person examination required before any plan?
• What medicine changes, if any, would need to be discussed with your prescribing doctor before travel?

Endoscopic sinus surgery in China