Paranasal Sinuses Flashcards
What are paranasal sinuses?
Air filled spaces that are extensions of the nasal cavity
What lines the paranasal sinuses?
Respiratory mucosa
What are the roles of the paranasal sinuses?
Humidify and warm inspired air
Reduce weight of the skull
Where do paranasal sinuses drain?
Nasal cavity via small channels called ostia
What are the 4 pairs of paranasal sinuses?
Frontal
Ethmoidal
Sphenoid
Maxillary
What is the sensory innervation of the paranasal sinuses?
CN Va
- frontal
- ethmoidal
- sphenoid
CN Vb
- maxillary
What is acute sinusitis?
Symptomatic inflammation of the mucosal lining of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses
What paranasal sinus is most commonly affected by sinusitis?
Maxillary - due to a hole on the top that drains into nasal cavity
What are the symptoms of acute sinusitis?
Blocked nose
Rhinorrhoea
Pyrexia
Headache/facial pain
What makes the facial pain worse in sinusitis?
Leaning forward
How is sinusitis managed?
Analgesia
Steam inhalation
Antibiotics if necessary
What can cause sinusitis?
Secondary to viral infection of nasal cavity
What is the pathophysiology of acute sinusitis?
Primary infection leads to
- reduced ciliary function
- oedema of nasal mucosa + ostia
- increased nasal secretions
Drainage from sinuses is impeded
Stasis leads to bacterial infection
What are the common bacteria in sinusitis?
Strep pneumoniae
Haemophilus influenzae
Moraxella catarrhalis
