ENT: Rhinosinusitis

Question 1

what is rhinosinusitis?

Answer 1

symptomatic inflammation of the mucosal lining of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses

including:
- Acute bacterial infection
- Allergy
- Nasal Polyps
- Chronic Idiopathic

NB: usually of a viral cause, can have secondary bacterial infection

Question 2

how does rhinosinusitis present?

Answer 2

• nasal discharge
• nasal obstruction
• facial pain/pressure

Question 3

what is acute/chronic rhinosinusitis?

Answer 3

Acute: <12 weeks

Chronic: >12 weeks

Recurrent acute: >4 or more acute episodes/year with interim symptom resolution

Question 4

what are some complications of rhinosinusitis?

Answer 4

• Sepsis
• Orbital: Orbital Cellulitis, Orbital Abscess, Vision loss
• Intracranial: Abscess, Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis