Pathology of Nose and Paranasal Sinuses Flashcards
What is the medial wall of the nasal cavity formed by?
The nasal septum
What does the nasal septum consist of?
- The perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone
- Septal cartilage
- Vomer
What does the septal cartilage rely on for its blood supply?
The overlying perichondrium
Where does the septal cartilages’ blood supply have important clinical implications?
For injuries involving the nasal septum
What is the clinical implication for injuries involving the nasal septum?
Septal haemotoma
What causes a septal haematoma?
Trauma to the nose leading to buckling of the septum, and shearing of the blood vessels
What happens in a septal haemotoma?
Blood collects in the space between the septum and its perichondrium
What is the result of blood developing between the septum and its perichondriuM?
It lifts the perichondrium off the cartilage, stripping away its blood supply
What does the pressure of the accumulating blood do in a septal haemotoma?
It causes ischaemia of the cartilage
What happens if a septal haemotoma is not recognised and drained in a timely fashion?
- Irreversible avascular necrosis of the cartilage can occur
- Infection development in collecting haemotoma
What does avascular necrosis of the cartilage cause in a septal haemotoma?
Cosmetic distortion of the nose - saddle deformity
What does septal abscess formation increase the likelihood of?
Avascular necrosis of the septum
What is sinusitis?
Acute inflammation of the lining of the sinuses
How long does sinusitis last?
Under 4 weeks
When can sinusitis occur?
Following a viral infection of the nasal mucosae, e.g. a cold
What does sinusitis cause?
- Mucosal oedema
- Impedence of ciliary function
- Increase in mucosal secretions
When may drainage from the sinuses become obstructed?
If the oedema involves their opening into the nasal cavity
What does obstruction of the sinuses cause in sinusitis?
This, combined with increased mucosal secretions, leads to a stagnant pool collection within the sinus
What can sometimes happen when a stagnant pool collects in sinusitis?
It can become secondarily infected with bacteria
Which sinus is particularly prone to infection?
The maxillary sinus
Why is the maxillary sinus the most prone to infection?
Most likely becasue of the location opening high on the medial wall of the nasal cavity
What increases the risk of sinusitis?
Conditions which may block the ostia of sinuses
Which conditions may block the ostia of sinuses?
- Nasal polyps
- Deviated septum
When may a dental infection cause sinusitis?
When it involves the upper teeth
How is a diagnosis of sinusitis made?
Based on history and clinical examination alone
What are the symptoms of sinusitis?
- Non-resolving cold or flu-like illness that persists for more than a week
- Pyrexia
- Rhinorrhoea +/- green/yellow discharge
- Headahe/facial pain (in area of affected sinus), worse on leaning forward
- Blocked nose