acute sinusitis

Question 1

what is sinusitis?

Answer 1

an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the paranasal sinuses

Question 2

what are the common infectious agents seen in acute sinusitis?

Answer 2

• strep pneumoniae
• haemophilus influenzae
• rhinoviruses

Question 3

what are the features of acute sinusitis?

Answer 3

• facial pain (frontal pressure pain, worse on bending forward)
• nasal discharge
• nasal obstruction

Question 4

what is the mx of acute sinusitis?

Answer 4

1. analgesia
2. intranasal decongestants / nasal saline
3. intranasal corticosteroids if sx present >10 days
4. oral abx are not normally required but may be given for severe presentations

Question 5

when are abx given in acute sinusitis?

Answer 5

• if systematically very unwell, signs and sx of a more serious illness, or at high risk of complications
• ‘double-sickening’ where an initial viral sinusitis worsens due to 2˚ bacterial infection