Nose & Sinuses: Sinusitis

Question 1

When diagnosing sinusitis, what is the most important thing to differentiate between?

Answer 1

allergic/viral rhinitis & sinusitis.

Question 2

What does sinusitis typically follow?

Answer 2

URI

Question 3

Who is more at risk of sinusitis?

Answer 3

Smokers, second-hand smoke, history of trauma, or foreign body.

Question 4

If it is bacterial sinusitis, what would be the likely causes?

Answer 4

Strep pneumonia, H influenzae, M catarrhalis, and Staph aureus.

Question 5

Patient presents with purulent discharge from the nose, facial pain with pressure, nasal obstruction/congestion & fever. Dx?

Answer 5

Bacterial sinusitis

Question 6

What are some possible complications of bacterial sinusitis?

Answer 6

Orbital cellulitis, osteomylitis, and cavernous sinus thrombosis.

Question 7

How do you treat bacterial sinusitis?

Answer 7

NSAIDS & saline wash. Only Rx antibiotics if s/s last for more than 10 days or more significant s/s (fever, facial pain, swelling)