MEDICAL INFORMATION
SINUSITIS
Sinuses are cavities within the bone structures of the face:
- Frontal: Above the eye socket
- Maxillary: Cheek bones
- Ethmoid: Upper nose and between the eyes
- Sphenoidal: Behind the nose.
The openings (orifices) of these sinuses allow drainage of secretions into the nasal cavity. These orifices are between the nasal turbinates. Also, the orifice of the nasolacrimal duct from the eye and the orifice of the eustacian (auditory) tube open below the inferior turbinate of the nose. The smooth mucosal lining of the nose and sinuses is richly supplied with nerves and blood vessels. If this lining becomes inflamed from irritants or allergic reactions or becomes infected with viruses or bacteria, then the person developes symptoms of irritation of the mucosal lining. This may lead to partial or complete obstructions (blockage) of the orifices of the sinuses, nasolacrimal ducts and eustacian tubes. If the sinus mucosal lining is infected with bacteria, then one has the symptoms and diagnosis of Acute BacterialSinusitis.
Symptoms of diagnosis of sinusitis follow 1997 Task Force guidelines:
- Major Symptoms:
- Facial pain/pressure/tightness
- Facial congestion/fullness
- Nasal obstruction/blockage
- Minor Symptoms:
- Tooth pain
- Earache
- Non-vascular headache
- Periorbital swelling
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Halitosis
- Change in perception of smell
- Fever (>100.4 oral, >102.2 F rectal, >101.2 F tympanic)
NOTE: Patients must have a Major and two Minor symptoms.