Sinusitis is an inflammation of the mucosa lining the paranasal sinuses (maxillary, ethmoid, frontal, and sphenoid sinuses). It almost always originates from an inflammatory focus in the nose, which is why it is commonly referred to as rhinosinusitis. Sinusitis can be acute, when the onset is less than three weeks; subacute, when symptoms persist between three weeks and three months; and chronic, when the illness lasts more than three months. ENT doctor West Yorkshire, at private clinics such as Consultant ENT, patients can access advanced diagnostic methods and modern treatments. 

What are the symptoms of sinusitis?

In the acute form of sinusitis, facial pain, pressure, nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea (a profuse flow of nasal mucus), decreased sense of smell, and cough may also occur. Fever, shortness of breath, fatigue, and toothache may also occur. Chronic sinusitis may present with: facial pain, a sensation of facial pressure, nasosinusal congestion, nasal obstruction, thick rhinorrhea, posterior rhinorrhea, and the presence of pus in the nasal cavity. Sometimes it may also present with fever and may cause headache, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Symptoms may persist for twelve weeks or more.

Diagnosis and treatment of sinusitis

The most common symptoms are:

• Facial pain.

• Nasal obstruction.

• Rhinorrhea (nasal mucus).

• Postnasal drip.

• Decreased sense of smell.

• Headaches.

What are the causes of sinusitis?

The most common cause of inflammation of the sinuses and nasal passages is the common cold, usually due to a viral infection.

1. Acute bacterial sinusitis is usually preceded by an upper respiratory cold, an allergic reaction, or some type of environmental irritation (fumes, gases, vapors, etc.).

2. Under normal conditions, the mucus produced and accumulated in the sinuses drains into the nasal passage. However, when a person has a cold or allergies, the sinus lining becomes inflamed and prevents mucus from draining. This leads to congestion and infection.

3. The most common causative germs are Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. Unlike an upper respiratory cold or an allergy, bacterial sinusitis requires an accurate diagnosis and antibiotic treatment to achieve a cure and prevent possible complications.

Who can suffer from it?

Sinusitis is one of the most common reasons for medical consultation. It affects both children and adults. It is rare for a single sinus to be affected. The osteomeatal complex, which is the area where several sinuses meet in the nasal cavity, is the area most frequently affected.

Can sinusitis be cured?

The response to specific antibiotic treatment is usually satisfactory.

• In cases where any of the local or systemic factors that may predispose to sinusitis are detected, it is advisable to resolve them.

1. In this way, the short and long-term prognosis is prevented from becoming darker due to the chronic nature of sinusitis or the appearance of complications.

How is sinusitis diagnosed?

The diagnosis of sinusitis is made primarily from the data obtained after a careful clinical history and examination.

• A complete study of the nasal area and paranasal sinuses is advisable, with an anatomical (direct vision), physiological (nasal flow study), and radiological (plain radiology and CT) view.

• Examination of the nasal cavity can be performed by anterior rhinoscopy or by endoscopy with flexible or rigid optics.

• In many cases, radiographic examination and culture of nasal secretions are necessary to determine the extent of the disease and the cause of the sinusitis.

How is sinusitis treated?

• Pharmacological treatment

• Endoscopic treatments for sinusitis

• Acute sinusitis is a bacterial infection of the paranasal sinuses. The main treatment consists of oral antibiotics for a period of ten to fourteen days. Oral or topical decongestants are also usually prescribed to relieve symptoms.

• The antibiotic will be as specific as possible according to the antibiogram obtained from the culture of the nasal exudate or secretion.

Conclusion

Chronic sinusitis, on the other hand, consists of chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa. This inflammation may or may not be accompanied by a chronic infectious process. The first-line treatment consists of administering antibiotics in conjunction with corticosteroids. In some cases, the patient will need to be offered short-term oral corticosteroids. Maintenance topical corticosteroids are also often suggested to improve or maintain the patient's well-being.

If an accompanying infectious process is present, oral antibiotics as specific as possible will be added to this treatment according to the antibiogram. In more severe or persistent cases, a sinus surgery specialist may be consulted to evaluate whether surgical intervention is necessary to restore proper sinus function and relieve chronic symptoms.