Acute Sinusitis Flashcards
What is acute sinusitis?
It is defined as a condition in which there is inflammation of the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity
It occurs for a period of up to four weeks
What are the seven risk factors associated with acute sinusitis?
Viral Infection
Bacterial Infection
Nasal Obstruction
Cystic Fibrosis
Kartagener Syndrome
Immunodeficiency
Smoking
What is the most common risk factor associated with acute sinusitis?
Viral Infection
What are the three viral infections associated with acute sinusitis?
Rhinovirus
Influenza
Parainfluenza
What are the four bacterial infections associated with acute sinusitis?
Streptococcus Pneumonia
Haemophilia Influenza
Staphylococcus Aureus
Moraxella Catarrhalis
How do we differentiate between viral and bacterial causes of acute sinusitis?
Viral infections result in shorter and milder course, with clinical features lasting between 7 - 10 days
Bacterial infections result in a longer course, with clincial features persisting for a period greater than 10 days. There may be a biphasic pattern, in which there is a period of recovery followed by worsening of clincal features - secondary to bacterial infection
What are the six clincial features of acute sinusitis?
Fever > 38C
Facial Pain
Facial Swelling
Facial Erythema
Nasal Discharge
Nasal Obstruction
Describe the facial pain associated with acute sinusitis
It is described as frontal pressure pain
It is exacerbated by bending forwards
What investigation is used to diagnose acute sinusitis?
Nasal Swabs
When are nasal swabs used to diagnose acute sinusitis?
They are recommended in cases of complicated acute sinusitis which is unresponsive to initial management options
How are nasal swabs used to investigate acute sinusitis?
They are used to conduct a culture in order to identify the causative organism and guide management options
What is the conservative management option of acute sinusitis?
It involves advising individuals that it is a self-limiting disease, which tends to resolve within a period of 10 days
What is the first line management option of acute sinusitis?
Conservative Management
What are the three pharmacological management options of acute sinusitis?
Simple Analgesia
Intranasal Corticosteroids
Oral Antibiotics
When is simple analgesia used to manage acute sinusitis?
In all cases of acute sinusitis in order to provide symptomatic relief
