Sinusitis

Question 1

How long does acute sinusitis and chronic sinusitis last?

Answer 1

Acute < 3 months

Chronic > 3 months

Question 2

What are risk factors of sinusitis?

Answer 2

Asthma

Smoking

Question 3

What are the 4 pairs of paranasal sinuses?

Answer 3

• Maxillary sinus
• Ethmoidal sinus
• Frontal sinus
• Sphenoid sinus

Question 4

What is the function of sinuses?

Answer 4

• Produce mucous to protect our nose

- Allow air to flow through and become moistened

Question 5

Which cells are found in the walls of the sinus and what do they excrete?

Answer 5

• Goblet cells - excrete mucous

- Columnar cells - Cilia

Question 6

What are the most common viruses causing sinusitis?

Answer 6

Rhinovirus
Parainfluenza virus
Influenza

Question 7

What are the most common bacteria causing sinusitis?

Answer 7

Strep pneumonia

Haemophilus influence

Question 8

What condition can cause nasal polyps?

Answer 8

Connective hyper plastic sinusitis

Question 9

What are the causes of sinusitis?

Answer 9

Viral infection
Bacterial infection
Obstruction - Trauma, polyps, foreign body
Deviated septum 
Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)

Question 10

What are the signs and symptoms of sinusitis?

Answer 10

• change in voice, smell, taste
• facial pain
• tenderness over sinus
• headache
• fever
• nasal discharge
• cough worse on lying

Question 11

What are the main investigations?

Answer 11

Rhinoscopy

CT - MUST be done before any surgery

Question 12

What is the treatment for acute sinusitis?

Answer 12

Leave for 1st 10 days.

If not improving:

• High dose steroid spray for 2 weeks - mometasone
• Antibiotic - phenoxymethylpenicillin

Question 13

What is the treatment for chronic sinusitis?

Answer 13

• Saline nasal irrigation
• Steroid nasal spray - mometasone
• Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (must have CT before)