Sinuses Flashcards
actions of the sinuses
Warm, moisturize, and filter air
Olfaction
Continuous mucosal lining lined with cilia
Unilateral purulent drainage
Foul odor, epistaxis
Nasal Foreign Body
where do 95% of epistaxis occur?
Kiesselbach’s plexus
Epistaxis Management
- Direct pressure
- Cautery
- Nasal packing
- Treat the underlying cause: prevention!
NS nasal sprays and humidifiers to add moisture
Cautery with silver nitrate- keep from re-bleeding
when do you need a referral with nasal trauma
if orbital involvement is suspected, airway compromise, evidence of intracranial injury, leaking CSF or c-spine injury
collection of blood in the septum, or space between the two nostrils Don’t miss-may cause chronic deformity Often bilateral Cover with antibiotics Refer for drainage immediate ENT referral
septal hematoma
Assc. w/ Unilateral nasal obstruction, pain, recurrent nosebleeds, headache, visual or smell changes are all red flag symptoms
nasal tumors
Carcinomas (squamous), lymphomas, sarcomas, and melanomas
Represent an inflammatory disorder
May cause chronic symptoms with a diminished sense of smell
Associated with chronic rhinosinusitis and cystic fibrosis
may initiate nasal corticosteroids topically and refer to ENT if no improvement after an initial period of treatment
nasal polyps
- common across all age groups
- May be benign—look for red flag symptoms
- Identify the underlying etiology
- Patient centered management plan
- Refer when appropriate
Nasal Congestion
an immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated inflammatory response of the nasal mucous membranes after exposure to inhaled allergens
Common symptoms: nasal congestion, post-nasal drip, nasal itching, sneezing, ocular symptoms
Seasonal vs. perennial vs. episodic
Allergic Rhinitis
Physical Exam for AP diagnosis
- Allergic shiners
- Injected conjunctivae
- Allergic salute
- Stigmata of atopic disease
- “Boggy, pale” turbinate
AR Classification?
Present <4 days/week
OR
<4 weeks/year
Intermittent
AR Classification?
Present >4 days/week
OR
>4 weeks/year
Persistent
AR Classification?
Isolated exposure to an allergen such as pet dander that is not part of the individual’s environment
Episodic
Best way to manage AR
environmental control
3 A’s of AR H&P
family hx of asthma, allergies, atopy
most common physical sign of AR
boggy pale nasal turbinates
Factors that may lead to a severe classification of AR
exacerbation of co-morbid asthma, sleep disturbance, impairment of daily activities or participation in sports, impairment of schoolwork due to missed school days
There should be no clinical evidence of ____ for AR dx
endonasal infection or structural abnormality
Benefits of intranasal corticosteroids (INCS)
Recognized as most effective treatment for AR by all practice guidelines
- Low systemic bioavailability (second-generation agents)
- May also benefit ocular symptoms
- Available OTC
Disadvantages of intranasal corticosteroids
- Side effects (nasal irritation, dryness, epistaxis. Taste and smell disturbances, HA, cataract and glaucoma)
- Improper administration or use
- Concern in pediatric population regarding growth suppression
Benefits of Nasal Antihistamines
- Quick action
- More effective for nasal congestion than oral antihistamines
- More tolerable side effect profile
- Recognized as effective in conjunction with INCS for patients without benefit of INCS alone
Disadvantages of Nasal Antihistamines
- More expensive
* Less effective than INCS
Benefits of Oral Antihistamines
- Low cost/available OTC
- Second generation advised (less sedating)
- Addresses multiple allergy symptoms
- Generally well tolerated
Disadvantages of Oral Antihistamines
- Drowsiness
- Not as effective as INCS
- Clinical trials show no added benefit as add on to INCS
Good for pts that have hx of asthma of allergy to aspirin
May have limited role for those patients with comorbid asthma/allergy
•Very costly
•No added benefit seen as an add onto INCS
Leukotriene Antagonist (LTRA)
widely used- effective against histamine mediated allergic rhinitis symptoms, (rhinorrhea, sneezing, itching, and also ocular symptoms)
Oral Antihistamines
The chronic presence of one or more symptoms of rhinitis (nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, sneezing, and/or itchy nose.) , diagnosis of exclusion, syndrome not a disease
- No clinical signs of infection
- No signs of allergic inflammation
Nonallergic, Noninfectious Rhinitis (NAR)