Definition

Infection or inflammation of the sinuses is known as sinusitis. The sinuses are areas in the skull that are filled with air. They are situated in the cheek, behind the nose and above the eyebrows. They all communicate with the nose through small channels. If the channels become blocked this can lead to a build up of fluid in the sinuses which results in pain.

Causes

Often the cause of sinusitis may be a cold or flu. The infection spreads to the sinuses- it can result in infection and pain. Occasionally having teeth removed from the upper jaw can lead to sinusitis, this is most likely to occur in teeth that are infected. If the nose is blocked, or there is evidence of nasal polyps, this can be the cause as the channels draining the sinuses become blocked.

Signs and symptoms

Often patients complain about pain over the eyebrows and pain in the face over the cheekbones. Sinusitis may cause a patient to have a thick yellow/green discharge from their nose. Patients will feel unwell and may have a temperature. They will certainly complain of nasal blockage or congestion.

Tests

If the nose is examined internally it is often possible to see the yellow discharge emanating from the sinus opening in the nose. An x-ray of the sinuses may reveal that they are full of infected material instead of the usual air.

Treatment

Medical – risks and complications
Initially the treatment of a patient with sinusitis and a yellow/green discharge from the nose is antibiotics. Steam inhalation is often very useful in loosening the discharge. This is easily administered at home by breathing in hot, but not burning steam, from a bowl. A short course of nasal decongestants may be appropriate to reduce the inflammation within the nose. However these should not be used for longer than a week.

Surgical

If acute sinusitis is severe then occasionally sinus washouts are undertaken to remove the infected material from the sinuses. This is a simple operation undertaken as a day case under general anaesthetic and is only slightly uncomfortable. For more chronic symptoms surgery for unblocking the sinuses may be performed, after appropriate investigation including a CT (computerised tomography) scan.


Source:www.privatehealth.co.uk
Last Editorial Review: 15/1/2010