People can develop sinusitis when the sinuses become infected with a virus or bacteria or become inflamed due to allergies. Some cases of sinusitis clear up with treatment after a short period of time while others persist. Balloon sinuplasty is a considerably less invasive treatment option for chronic sinusitis. There are no incisions made and the surgeon doesn’t have to remove any tissue or bone from the area. Instead, the surgeon inserts a thin, flexible catheter with a balloon on it into the sinus. The balloon is inflated, which opens the walls of the sinus (without causing damage or changes to the lining of the sinus), then is deflated and removed from the sinus leaving a more open nasal passage with sufficient airflow.