Clinical experience in the use of two-dimensional ultrasound examination of the paranasal sinuses for sinusitis in outpatient practice

Sinusitis is an insidious disease in that the first symptoms and signs of sinusitis are very similar to a common cold and therefore often remain without proper attention. When obvious distinctive symptoms of the disease appear, time may be lost and the disease turns out to be in full swing - in an acute form.

Sinusitis is a disease that requires immediate treatment, since the disease is dangerous because inflammation occurs near the eyes and brain, and if effective treatment is not started in a timely manner, the disease can lead to very serious complications, including death. It should be noted that sinusitis is one of the most common diseases of the ENT organs.

In the article below, you will find information about what sinusitis is and its symptoms, photos and schematic images, where the source of inflammation is located, how the chronic and acute forms differ, the ICD-10 code, what this disease leads to if it do not treat.

The success of treatment largely depends on the degree of trust between the patient and the doctor, therefore, if your relationship with the doctor does not work out, you can always turn to another specialist. This article is intended to help you. With its help, you can familiarize yourself with the disease, receive additional information and more complete answers to questions if any arise after visiting your doctor. The article is for informational purposes only and is not an instruction for self-medication.

Author of the article: doctor Patrusheva E.V.

What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis is more common in adults than in children. According to the latest medical statistics, 10-15% of the population in all developed countries falls ill with sinusitis every year, and this number increases annually by 2-3%. The statistics are somewhat scary.

What kind of disease is this?

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the maxillary sinuses. Very often they are called maxillary or maxillary, since the sinuses are located in the thickness of the upper jaw. Consequently, sinusitis and maxillitis are two different names for the same disease.

Moreover, in ICD-10 (“International Classification of Diseases”) the disease is designated as maxillary sinusitis J01.0.

It is important to know that the symptoms of sinusitis in the initial stages are non-specific and similar to a common cold. Moreover, chronic and persistent nasal diseases can mask the disease, making it difficult to make a correct diagnosis. That is why, if any changes in your health status occur, you should consult a doctor.

You can learn about what sinusitis is and how to treat it by watching this video with Elena Malysheva and Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor G.Z. Piskunov.

What causes the disease to develop?

Stomach disease may be accompanied by cramps and intestinal infections.

The disease most often occurs in children at an early age who have already suffered from infectious intestinal diseases. Pneumatization is often detected during the operation itself, the initial task of which was to eliminate intestinal obstruction.

In medicine, the disease is divided into two types - limited and widespread. It can affect the small intestine, less often the entire intestinal area. Most often, patients experience two forms of pathology: pneumatization with damage to the ileum of the intestine or the iliocecal zone.

Less often, doctors diagnose a cyst on the walls of the affected organ, which can either be scattered or accumulate in one place. The causes of the disease are called:

• Impaired removal of gases through the anus
• Intestinal obstruction
• Spasms
• Increased intra-abdominal pressure
• Abnormal bowel movement
• Presence of intestinal infections
• When air from the stomach enters the intestinal wall
• The development of the disease in children is provoked by their immobility and sedentary lifestyle
• In rare cases, among the causes of pneumatization are lymphatic capillaries that are located in the intestinal wall

Thus, this unpleasant disease is caused by a large number of factors. You need to take care of yourself and your body, engage in physical exercise so that the disease does not bother you. After all, it is easier to prevent a disease than to treat it later.

Sinusitis and sinusitis - what's the difference?

Very often in the diagnosis we read the name “sinusitis”, but the doctor said that it was sinusitis. How do they differ from each other, which diagnosis is correct? Or maybe it's one and the same?

If we open the document that doctors use when making any diagnosis - the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) - and read it, we will not find in the document a disease called “sinusitis”; its place is taken by “sinusitis”.

In fact, “sinusitis” is a general name for inflammatory diseases of all sinuses. There are 4 paired sinuses - the frontal, ethmoid, sphenoid and the familiar maxillary sinuses. The inflammation of each of these sinuses has its own name:

• Inflammation of the frontal sinuses - frontal sinusitis or frontal sinusitis.
• Inflammation of the ethmoid sinuses – ethmoiditis or ethmoidal sinusitis.
• Inflammation of the sphenoid sinuses – sphenoiditis or sphenoidal sinusitis.
• Inflammation of the maxillary sinuses – sinusitis, maxillitis or maxillary sinusitis.

That is why in ICD-10 there is only sinusitis, as a general name for all inflammatory diseases of the paranasal sinuses, and it is designated J01. That is, sinusitis and sinusitis are the same name for the same disease - inflammation of the maxillary sinus. And the correct diagnosis may sound: “sinusitis of the maxillary sinuses”, “maxillary sinusitis” or “sinusitis” - the difference is only in the words.

Since sinusitis most often occurs as a complication of a runny nose (rhinitis), it is also called rhinosinusitis.

How dangerous is sinusitis and can you die from it?

Regardless of the name, “sinusitis,” “maxillitis,” or “sinusitis,” this is a dangerous disease. In the absence of qualified and timely medical care, serious complications can occur, for example, the disease can develop into meningitis. If the disease is not treated or self-medicated, death may occur from its complications.

To better understand what sinusitis is and why it is dangerous, what it can lead to, it is necessary to consider the anatomical features of the structure and location of the human nasal sinuses.

Symptoms of the disease

Constipation is a common occurrence with pneumatization.

The severity of the symptoms of the disease completely depends on the area and area of ​​​​prevalence of this process. Pneumatization of the affected organ is characterized by sudden flatulence. The peculiarity of the disease is increased gas formation inside the body.

The consequence of this process will be stretching of the intestinal walls, which is accompanied by a feeling of discomfort and cramping pain, reminiscent of colic. Very often, patients have problems with stool. A person can suffer from both diarrhea and constipation - it all depends on the level of irritation of the receptors.

The structure of the human nasopharynx

The structure of the nasopharynx is quite simple. We can say that this is a cavity located in the human skull that connects the oral and nasal cavities. The nasopharynx also communicates with the sphenoid, occipital bone, with the cervical vertebrae and neck, with the tympanic cavities, with the lateral auditory openings and the eustachian tubes.

If you look at the structure of the human nasopharynx in the diagram, you can see that the nasopharynx connects all the cavities in the human skull.

All nasal cavities are interconnected with each other and with the nasopharynx. This structure contributes to the rapid spread of infection during sinusitis, and if left untreated, severe complications and even death can easily occur.

The structure and location of the paranasal (maxillary) sinuses

As stated above, there are 4 paired paranasal sinuses. The diagram shows their location, it is clear where they are located (with the exception of the sphenoid sinus).

• The frontal sinuses of the nose are located above the superciliary arches and through the frontal canal they communicate with the anterior part of the middle nasal meatus.
• The ethmoid sinuses look like cells that communicate with each other and with the nasal cavity.
• The sphenoid sinuses are located in the body of the sphenoid bone.
• The maxillary sinuses are paired. These nasal sinuses are located in the thickness of the upper jaw, symmetrically on both sides of the back of the nose. The photo below schematically shows the inflammatory process in the maxillary sinus.

The sinus is covered from the inside with mucous membrane. It secretes mucus, which contains substances that neutralize microbes. The formed mucus flows into the nasal cavity through a special anastomosis.

Special cilia (ciliated epithelium) help mucus move directionally from the sinus into the nasal cavity. They are in constant motion and, moving, create a kind of current that moves mucus to the anastomosis.

If the size of the anastomosis is normal, the contents of the sinus flow freely through it even during ARVI. If the size of the anastomosis is changed (for example, due to swelling), mucus may stagnate in the sinus. Changing the size of the maxillary sinus anastomosis can lead to various complications, including sinusitis.

All sinuses communicate with the nasal passages and with each other, so the inflammatory process of one sinus can spread to the others. According to medical statistics, in more than 70% of cases, sinusitis develops in two or more sinuses; in 1.5-2% of patients, sinusitis spreads to all sinuses. This very serious disease is called "pansinusitis" or "hemisinusitis" if all sinuses are affected, but only on one side.

In addition, the process can extend beyond the sinuses. Intraorbital inflammatory processes may occur. If an infection enters the orbit, thrombosis of the orbital veins may occur. With further infection in the brain, sinusitis can develop into meningitis and a brain abscess can develop, which can be fatal.

Pneumatization of the paranasal sinuses - what is it?

As shown in the image above, the sinuses are normally filled with air. In medical language this is called “pneumatized sinuses.” Pneumatized sinuses are responsible for the resonance and timbre of the voice, and also reduce the mass of the skull bones.

Thus, the meaning of such phrases as: “the frontal sinuses are pneumatized,” “the paranasal sinuses are pneumatized,” “the paranasal sinuses are pneumatized,” “the main sinus is pneumatized” means the normal healthy state of the paranasal sinuses. There's nothing to worry about.

Possible results of the conducted research

In the event of various inflammatory processes, if there is a suspicion of their presence, the attending physician writes a referral for an examination. This diagnosis consists of fluoroscopic examination.

Pneumatization of the paranasal sinuses can be diagnosed by several indicators.

Reduced. A decrease in pneumatization makes it possible to determine the presence of a pathological, inflammatory process. This phenomenon often happens when inflammation of the maxillary sinus occurs. In addition, the result of a decrease may be:

• the presence of caries or other infectious diseases of the teeth and oral cavity;
• the appearance of a cyst or other neoplasm;
• accumulations of exudate (presence of purulent or other fluid);
• congenital underdevelopment of the internal spaces of the nose.

Saved. This conclusion indicates the normal functioning of the organ. It is also the result of diagnosis when inflammatory processes of the maxillary sinuses were not detected.

• X-ray of the sinuses: features of the study

Promoted. An increase in standard indicators indicates possible disruptions in the functioning of the endocrine system (gigantism and acromegaly develop especially often).

What causes sinusitis?

Having understood the anatomy and various names of the disease, it is necessary to understand what causes sinusitis.

The main condition for the development of inflammation in the sinus is difficulty in the outflow of mucus. Normally, a small amount of mucous fluid is constantly formed in the maxillary sinus, which washes the inner walls of the sinus, removes microbes and flows through the anastomosis of the maxillary sinus with the help of the directed movement of special cilia of the ciliated epithelium.

If the outflow is disrupted, mucus stagnates in the sinus. Subsequently, microbes multiply in the stagnant mucus inside the sinuses. Pus forms and symptoms of sinusitis appear.

The outflow of mucus may be impaired as a result of edema - allergic or infectious, as well as against the background of various inflammations of the nose as a result of trauma to the nose or congenital anomalies in the structure of the nasopharynx (deviated nasal septum, abnormal development of the nasal turbinates, etc.).

One of the most common causes of sinus blockage is nasal congestion, as the anastomosis (entrance to the sinus) is blocked. Nasal congestion develops as a result of swelling (increase in the size of the mucous membrane) and accumulation of mucus. This leads to blocking the access of oxygen through the nose, including into the sinuses.

Infection in the maxillary sinuses can enter in several ways:

• Hematogenous. Microbes enter the sinuses from foci of infection in other organs through the bloodstream.
• Nasal. The infection enters from the nasal cavity through the sinus anastomosis.
• Odontogenic. The infection enters the sinuses from the inflamed roots of the upper 4 molars, which are in close contact with the walls of the sinuses. In addition, infection can enter through the canals of the teeth during various dental procedures.
• Traumatic. The infection occurs through various injuries to the nose, upper jaw and other bones of the facial skull.

The main reasons for the development of sinusitis:

• ARVI (acute respiratory viral infection);
• prolonged runny nose (more than 2 weeks);
• sore throat (tonsillitis);
• ear inflammation, otitis (otogenic sinusitis);
• caries of the upper 4 molars (odontogenic form).

Predisposition to the disease may be due to:

• low immunity;
• curvature of the nasal septum, adenoids, etc.;
• the presence of pathogenic bacteria in the nasopharynx, for example, Staphylococcus aureus, the rapid development of which occurs due to weakened immunity.

It should be remembered that untreated sinusitis can cause relapses (new cases) of the disease. This is due to the fact that after treatment with antibiotics, many dead cells remain in the sinuses. They “clog” the sinuses and become a favorable environment for the development of new inflammation.

Do not stop treatment just because you feel better. It is necessary to completely clear the maxillary sinuses. This can be done in several ways:

• by the body's own forces through the release of mucus through the nasal canals and with the help of lymphatic drainage through lymphatic capillaries and vessels.
• rinsing the sinuses with antiseptics;
• surgical operation (puncture or puncture).

To help your sinuses clear faster, you can help your immune system. You can stimulate the immune system and speed up the removal of toxins and dead cells using a special medical device called Vitafon. More information about the method of treating sinusitis in remission (weakening or disappearance of symptoms) using this device can be found here. Before use, carefully read the instructions and consult your doctor. This simple method will help avoid complications and serious surgical interventions in the future.

Diagnosis methods

In order to make a diagnosis, it is necessary to compare the clinical picture and the data of symptomatic therapy. First of all, the specialist must palpate the abdomen, during which it is possible to detect places with accumulated air - cysts. These formations can stretch in a long rope along the abdomen.

To accurately diagnose intestinal pneumatization, a specialist conducts endoscopic diagnostics, with the help of which he realistically assesses the condition of the mucous membrane of the damaged organ. The early stage of the disease can be detected using fluoroscopy. After a thorough examination, comprehensive treatment is prescribed.

Psychosomatics: Louise Hay and Liz Burbo

Psychologists say that not a single emotion passes without a trace for us. Any negative experience affects our health, both psychological and physical. “Psychosomatics” studies the psychological causes of various diseases. Like many other diseases, sinusitis (sinusitis) can have psychosomatic (psychological) causes.

The most famous foreign scientists in this field are Louise Hay (USA) and Lise Burbo (Canada). According to Louise Hay, sinusitis is suppressed self-pity, unshed tears. A prolonged situation of “everyone is against me” and an inability to cope with it.

For a more accurate understanding of the psychosomatics of sinusitis, we can give an example:

A person has constant stress, he is always worried about himself and his loved ones, suppresses feelings of fear and self-pity. At the same time, he believes that the whole world is against him, and no one will help him. Over time, this becomes the norm. A constant feeling of fear leads to breathing problems, which becomes the root cause of a runny nose and sinusitis.

To change this situation, you need to reconsider your attitude towards life, do what you can do, and not be afraid to ask for help from the people around you. You don't have to be perfect, you just need to love yourself as you are.

It is worth understanding that psychosomatics is good in its time and place. If you have symptoms of sinusitis, you should consult a qualified doctor. Psychosomatics can be considered for the prevention of the disease or its repeated relapses (new cases of exacerbation of the disease).

What is sinusitis?

There are several types of this disease depending on the location, cause, features of development and complications of the disease.

Depending on the cause of the disease (according to the etiological factor), sinusitis can be:

According to the form of the disease.

Exudative (catarrhal). The disease is accompanied by the release of inflammatory fluid. Depending on its nature, there are:

• serous (discharge resembles watery fluid).
• mucous (discharge resembles mucus).
• purulent (discharge similar to pus).

Productive . These forms are accompanied by proliferation of the mucous lining of the sinuses. Depending on the nature of growth, they are divided into:

• parietal-hyperplastic (parietal sinusitis): characterized by thickening and swelling of the mucous membrane of the maxillary sinus, as well as the absence of purulent contents;
• polypous: growths in the nose and sinuses in the form of a polyp (thickening on a stalk).

If there are complications during the development of the disease, for example, the spread of the process to the orbit of the eyes, venous vessels and brain, this type of sinusitis is called complicated.

Depending on the prevalence of the process, unilateral sinusitis is distinguished, that is, the disease can be on one side (left-sided or right-sided sinusitis) and bilateral sinusitis. Regardless of the location of the disease, the inflammatory process can be acute, purulent, or any other of the above types.

Knowing the type of disease determines how to treat it!

Diagnosis of sinusitis

Based on the patient's complaints, the doctor can make a preliminary diagnosis. But it is possible to say for sure whether there is sinusitis or not only after additional examination methods and the necessary tests.

Additional research methods for sinusitis

• X-ray examination of the paranasal sinuses (x-ray/x-ray). This is the most common, accessible and inexpensive method. During this study, the body experiences severe radiation exposure. This study is not suitable for pregnant women; in addition, an x-ray cannot determine the cause and nature of inflammation (mucous or purulent) of the disease. There are other methods for this.
• Computed tomography (CT) is a very informative, but expensive method. In addition, not all medical institutions have the necessary equipment. Therefore, it is not used often, only in difficult cases to clarify the diagnosis. In addition, this method is contraindicated during pregnancy.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is also used only in complex cases to clarify the diagnosis. Not all medical institutions have the necessary equipment.
• Ultrasound of the maxillary sinuses. The method is very informative for sinusitis and has virtually no contraindications. It is rarely used, as it requires special equipment and trained personnel. On the other hand, this method is suitable for pregnant women.
• Therapeutic and diagnostic puncture (puncture). It is considered the “gold standard for diagnosis” in the absence of other methods. It is an invasive (requiring a puncture of the skin or mucous membrane) procedure during which the contents of the sinus cavity are obtained.
• Laboratory research methods. A general blood test for sinusitis will show signs of an inflammatory process: increased ESR - above 12 mm/h, increased number of leukocytes, detection of the presence of bacterial inflammation (which makes it possible to distinguish a bacterial type of disease from a viral one). The method is auxiliary to confirm the presence of the disease; it alone is not enough.

Sinusitis is a serious disease, so only the attending physician can accurately diagnose the disease and determine what tests are needed. After the doctor has made a diagnosis, the patient must strictly but consciously follow his recommendations in order to avoid complications and ultimately get rid of this disease.

MRI of the sinuses, how a scan is done

The patient is placed on a table that moves inside the tomograph. There is no radiation exposure during this examination. MRI shows sections in different planes, without the need to change the position of the body. The procedure takes about 20 minutes and is very comfortable. There is good air ventilation inside the scanner and soft lighting.

In cases where the use of intravenous contrast is recommended, the study will take a little longer (about 15 minutes additional). After completing the tomography, you can immediately return to your normal lifestyle.

What does sinusitis look like on an x-ray?

It is difficult for an ordinary person to identify sinusitis in an image; future doctors are taught this at the institute. We will help our readers learn to identify the disease in photographs.

The image shows the paranasal sinuses. Normally, they appear dark on both sides of the nose. The color of the sinuses in the photo should match the color of the eye sockets.

In the picture (see photo) we see a discoloration on the right side in the sinus area (right-sided sinusitis)

If a discoloration is visible in the area of ​​the paranasal sinuses on both sides, then this is bilateral sinusitis.

Note: An x-ray is a negative, just like regular photographic film. Dense structures (bones, edema, inflammatory fluid) are light in color in the image. Less dense structures and air are darker. Therefore, when the sinuses acquire a lighter color in the picture, they speak of darkening, total or subtotal (complete or incomplete) - accordingly, these are signs of sinusitis.

In this photo you can see an x-ray before and after treatment of sinusitis.

Questions that often arise:

Where to take an x-ray of the maxillary sinuses?

X-rays of the paranasal sinuses can be done in a clinic or hospital as prescribed by the attending physician if they have an X-ray machine appropriate for the task.

How often can an x-ray be taken?

There is no definite answer, there are only contraindications. At least one x-ray is necessary to diagnose the disease and it is advisable to undergo an examination after treatment to ensure that the sinuses are clean. However, in some cases additional images may be required. Your doctor will determine the required number of images.

The first signs and symptoms of sinusitis

Symptoms of sinusitis are very similar to those of ARVI and influenza: fever, runny nose, decreased sense of smell, general malaise. Subsequently, these symptoms intensify and signs characteristic of bacterial sinusitis join:

• pain in the sinuses;
• headache;
• dizziness;
• unpleasant odor from the nasopharynx.

Possible coughing, bleeding from the nose, nausea, toothache, swelling and pain in the eyes.

How to identify and recognize sinusitis?

In the initial stages of sinusitis, signs and symptoms may not be expressed; sometimes sinusitis occurs without fever, runny nose and nasal congestion, so you need to remember what symptoms of sinusitis will help you recognize it.

Temperature

The temperature during sinusitis can vary from very high (over 39 °C) to low-grade (within 37 °C) and normal. This depends on the age of the patient, the type of disease, the state of immunity, and the presence of concomitant diseases in the patient.

In some cases, the disease can be very insidious. It would seem that the runny nose has gone away, the temperature has returned to normal, and suddenly pain and heaviness appear in the sinuses. In this regard, it should be remembered that sinusitis can be without fever, runny nose and nasal congestion, so the main symptom is still pain in the area of ​​the maxillary sinuses.

Inflammation of the sinuses - pain in the sinuses

In most cases, inflammation of the maxillary sinuses is accompanied by a symptom such as pressing pain in the sinuses. This is due to the fact that the inflammatory fluid presses on the walls of the sinus, as a result, the pressure in them increases and the pain nerve endings are irritated. Pain in the maxillary sinuses is most severe when bending or making sudden movements of the head. This symptom will help to recognize the disease, especially if sinusitis without a runny nose.

Headache

A headache with sinusitis can be felt in the forehead, nose, cheekbones, and sometimes radiates to the back of the head. With inflammation of the maxillary sinuses, the pain can be severe, pressing, bursting. The feeling of pressure in the forehead and bridge of the nose increases when the head is tilted.

Discharge and blood from the nose

Nasal discharge is mucous or mixed with pus, and sometimes with blood clots. The discharge (snot) may have an unpleasant odor. The color of nasal discharge may vary depending on the stage of the disease, from white, transparent to yellowish-green. Regardless of the type of snot associated with sinusitis, whether it exists or not, if the above symptoms occur (headache, fever and pain in the sinuses), you should immediately consult a doctor.

Nosebleeds, snot and runny nose with blood during sinusitis can be associated with frequent blowing of the nose and damage to small vessels.

But sometimes there may be no discharge. This condition is called "dry sinusitis."

Sinusitis without nasal discharge

Sinusitis can occur without nasal discharge. This is observed with very severe swelling, when mucus does not flow out of the sinus at all. Other symptoms of sinusitis come to the fore: sinus pain, headache, fever and nasal congestion.

Nasal congestion

Nasal congestion is associated with swelling of the mucous membrane of the nasal passages and maxillary sinuses, including without the formation of pus. Swelling may be accompanied by snot and an unpleasant smell in the nose when you have a runny nose.

Unpleasant odor from the nasopharynx

This sign appears at the height of the disease and indicates the addition of microbial putrefactive flora, which is the cause of the unpleasant odor of pus in the nose.

Cough

Inflammation of the sinuses may occur with a cough. This is due to the fact that mucus flows into the oropharynx. Cough with sinusitis worsens at night and when lying down.

Dizziness and nausea

Sometimes dizziness occurs with sinusitis. Nausea and dizziness can be associated with intoxication of the body, inflammation and increased pressure in the maxillary sinus. Dizziness, nausea, headache, temperature above 37 ° C, nasal discharge - these signs are characteristic of an acute process. In the chronic form of the disease, such symptoms may not be expressed clearly.

Toothache

Toothache with sinusitis is an uncommon symptom. It can appear with a long-term disease, the accumulation of a large amount of pus in the nasal sinuses and the spread of the process to the roots of the 4 upper teeth, which are closely adjacent to the lower wall of the maxillary sinus.

There may also be a reverse process, when first the teeth hurt, and then sinusitis develops. This is observed with advanced caries of molars. Pathological processes occurring in the apices of the roots of the upper teeth extend to the maxillary sinus. This type of disease is called odontogenic.

Pain in the eyes

Inflammation of the maxillary sinuses may cause swelling of the eyelids and pain in the eyes. This suggests that the purulent process has spread to the orbit (orbital region). This is an extremely dangerous symptom, since there is a danger of pus breaking through the thin wall of the orbit and through the vessels into the brain.

It should be remembered that sinusitis is not just nasal congestion and runny nose. This is a serious disease and, in the absence of timely and qualified treatment, can lead to serious complications. At the first signs of the disease, you should consult a doctor and not self-medicate.

Clinical picture

Mostly during an exacerbation, patients complain of difficulty breathing through the nose and discharge from the nasal cavity, which can be mucous, mucopurulent or purulent.

The purulent form of the disease is accompanied by complaints of discomfort in the area of ​​the canine fossa and the root of the nose from the inflamed maxillary sinus. In some cases, pain may radiate to the superciliary or temporal region. Headache during an exacerbation is most often diffuse in nature, resembling trigeminal neuralgia. Hyposmia or anosmia (decreased or loss of sense of smell) is often observed. Quite rarely there are cases of closure of the nasolacrimal duct, and then lacrimation from the eye is observed.

Hyperplastic bilateral maxillary sinusitis occurs. During the period of exacerbation, along with all the signs of this disease, general weakness, malaise, and high (febrile) temperature (38-390C) are noted.

Friends! Timely and correct treatment will ensure you a speedy recovery!

Complications and consequences

Without adequate treatment, sinusitis can cause serious complications. Acute sinusitis can become chronic and then plague you with constant exacerbations. Well, that's not the worst part. The terrible consequences of sinusitis in adults and children are meningitis, brain abscess, thrombosis of the cavernous sinuses (blood vessels), and swelling of the optic nerves. These complications of the disease require serious treatment in a hospital setting.

If after the main treatment of sinusitis the temperature remains at 37 ° C, this means that the inflammatory process in the body continues or ends. If the temperature persists for a week, this means that the source of inflammation is not completely cured and you need to see a doctor again.

After sinusitis, residual effects in the form of nasal congestion may persist. This is due to hypertrophy (parietal thickening) of the mucous membrane of the maxillary (maxillary) sinuses and their incomplete cleansing of dead cells.

Vibroacoustic therapy using the Vitafon medical device allows you to eliminate these phenomena at home. More detailed information about the device and methods of treating sinusitis in remission can be found here.

Having analyzed the reviews about the Vitafon device, we can say that the device gives positive results only with correct and long-term use. To get a good result from Vitafon treatment, read the instructions and consult with your doctor.

FAQ:

How to understand that sinusitis is going away?

There are several signs (symptoms) of recovery: body temperature drops to normal or subfebrile 37–37.2 oC, purulent discharge stops, when the sinuses are washed there is no purulent discharge, the sense of smell returns, headaches and pain in the nose, sinuses and forehead disappear.

But remember that you cannot stop treatment on your own. Otherwise, you risk getting chronic sinusitis. Your attending physician can determine that sinusitis has been cured after the necessary examinations.

Is sinusitis contagious?

Sinusitis itself is not contagious to others, is not an infectious disease and is not transmitted by airborne droplets from person to person, but it must be remembered that it often occurs against the background of ARVI and other viral and bacterial diseases transmitted by airborne droplets, which are very contagious.

Is it possible to walk in winter?

You can’t walk if you have sinusitis in winter. Since cold air will increase blood supply and activate the glands of the sinuses. As a result, the amount of mucus in the sinuses will increase, and with complicated outflow, this will only worsen the situation. In addition, general hypothermia of the body and sinuses also negatively affects the healing process.

Is it possible to smoke?

Tobacco smoke greatly irritates the nasopharynx and, penetrating into the sinuses, increases their secretion. In addition, substances found in tobacco smoke impair the absorption of vitamin C, and the walls of blood vessels become fragile. The answer is obvious - smoking with sinusitis is contraindicated.

How long does the temperature last?

A high temperature indicates the severity of inflammation and the body’s resistance. In the acute form, a high temperature (above 38 ° C) usually lasts for 3-4 days in case of adequate treatment. If treatment is ineffective or delayed, the temperature may remain high for a longer time. A low temperature (up to 37.8 °C) may persist throughout the entire treatment until complete recovery. With chronic sinusitis, the temperature may be normal or not high throughout the entire process.

Is your nose breathing?

One of the signs of the disease is impaired nasal breathing and nasal congestion. In some cases, the nose does not breathe with sinusitis, but periodically the nose can breathe (first one or the other nostril).

How to distinguish sinusitis from a runny nose?

A normal runny nose lasts no more than 2 weeks. Also, with a normal runny nose, there is no unpleasant smell from the nose, soreness of the sinuses and severe headache. In any case, symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose and high fever, regardless of duration, require consultation with a doctor.

The following medical literature was used in preparing the article:

1. "Bulletin of Otorhinolaryngology", No. 2, 2015.
2. Clinical and morphological features of chronic inflammation of the maxillary sinus. Palchun V. T., Mikhaleva L. M., Gurov A. V., Muzhikova A. V. // Journal “Fundamental Research”. – 2010 – No. 7.
3. Clinical otolaryngology. Textbook - Mishenkin N.V., Drachuk A.I., Ivanov L.I., Dashkevich Yu.M. Omsk, 1990
4. Otorhinolaryngology. Textbook - Kiselev A., Usachev V.I., Soldatov I.B., St. Petersburg, 2000.
5. Differential X-ray diagnosis of lesions of the paranasal sinuses, tumors of the skull and brain, cranial injuries, intracranial and extracranial foreign bodies: recommendations for practitioners. M. Kh. Faizullin. — Kazan, 1971
6. "Listen to your body." Liz Burbo, 2008

Author of the article: doctor Patrusheva E.V.

You can ask questions (below) on the topic of the article. We will try to answer them competently.

Treatment

In the process of treating chronic maxillary sinusitis, it is necessary to restore the drainage and ventilation function, remove pathogenic discharge and stimulate recovery processes. To achieve success, broad-spectrum antibiotics (amoxicillin, augmentin, panclave, etc.), anti-inflammatory drugs, vasoconstrictor nasal drops, antihistamines, puncture of the maxillary sinuses to clean rinsing water, or rinsing the paranasal sinuses by moving fluid (vacuum) are prescribed. drainage). If the effect of the prescribed treatment does not occur within a week, treatment should be continued up to surgery in the ENT department of the hospital.

If the rinsing water during puncture of the maxillary sinus is white, dark brown or black, a fungal infection can be suspected. In this case, it is necessary to discontinue antibiotics and carry out antifungal treatment. If you suspect the anaerobic nature of the process, which is characterized by an unpleasant odor of the discharge, a negative result in bacteriological examination of the contents, oxygenation (a high-pressure oxygen treatment method) of the sinus lumen should be carried out.

If long-term drainage is necessary, you need to install a drainage in the sinus and rinse it through it daily (up to 3 times a day). In case of severe local pain, which is confirmed by X-ray examination, and the ineffectiveness of conservative treatment within 3 days, as well as if signs of complications appear, immediate referral to an ENT hospital is indicated to carry out surgical debridement.