What is Acute Sinusitis? What Causes Acute Sinusitis?

Acute sinusitis is defined as the rapid onset and persistence of sinus symptoms, usually resulting from an infection of upper respiratory tract. Sinus infections result in obstruction of the ostia of the frontal, maxillary and anterior ethmoid sinuses, or the osteomeatal complex which is situated in the middle meatus lateral to the middle turbinate. Blockage of the ostia and the osteomeatal complex results in impaired sinus drainage, accumulation of mucosal secretions, promotes growth of bacteria, resulting in sinus infection or sinusitis. Rapid onset of sinus infection (sinusits) is classified as acute sinusitis.

Signs and Symptoms of Acute Sinusitis:

Nasal congestion, obstruction of the nasal passages, postnasal drip, sinus pressure, postnasal discharge, yellowish/greenish thick nasal discharge, and sinus pressure symptoms are almost always present. Children suffering form acute sinusitis may also exhibit signs of cough, purulent rhinorrhea, and in most cases, also postnasal discharge/postnasal drip.

The symptoms of acute sinusitis sinus disease vary depending upon the sinuses involved, ie. e whether it is Acute Ethmoid Sinusitis, Acute Frontal Sinusitis, Acute Maxillary Sinusitis, or Acute Sphenoid Sinusitis.

Acute Sinusitis Diagnosis:

Acute sinusitis is over-diagnosed in primary care. Opacification (fluid level) in an ethmoid, sphenoid, frontal or maxillary sinus in itself may be fairly accurate indicators of acute sinusitis, but a careful review of other diagnostic test (blood tests, computed tomography scans, culture, etc.) is often necessary. Evidence of purulent secretion in cavum nasi, Purulent rhinorrhoea, and ESR above than 10 mm/hr are usually reliable indicators of an infection. Presense of purulent secretions in the nasal cavity is a strong indicator of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis. Presense of symptoms such as Headaches, Fever, Frontal sinus pain, Pain in maxillary region, Purulent pharyngeal discharge, and Sinus tenderness does not always result in acute bacterial rhinosinusitis diagnosis.

According to otolaryngology guideline, acute bacterial rhinosinusitis must be considered to be a possibility if viral upper respiratory infection persists beyond 10 days or if it worsens after 5 to 7 days. A CMA (Canadian Medical Association) evidence-based review recommends that acute bacterial rhinosinusitis must be ruled out if fewer than 2 sinus symptoms exist. In case of patients exhibiting 2 to 3 symptoms, additional radiography (CT scans and/or x-rays) tests are helpful. Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis must be considered to be a strong possibility in case of four (4) or more symptoms.

Symptoms such as maxillary toothache, lack of improvement with decongestants, evidence of purulent secretions on exam, abnormal transillumination, and colored nasal discharge increase the likelihood of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis diagnosis. Inspection of the nasal mucosa (using a nasal speculum mounted on an otoscope) for its color (erythema or pallor), the nares and transillumination of the sinuses also help in the diagnosis of bacterial sinusitis.

Acute Sinusitis Treatment and Remedies:

For patients whose sinus symptoms last more than 10 to 14 days, as well as for those for whom the initial interventions (Nasal irrigation, hydration, and analgesia) may not be so helpful, and an antibiotics therapy may be necessary. In case of acute bacterial sinusitis, your otorhinolaryngologist may prescribe a complete course of an appropriate antibiotic/antibacterial agent (such as Amoxicillin, Amoxicillin/Clavulanate, Cefaclor, Cefuroxime Clarithromycin, or Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole), or a quinolone such as Levaquin, and Cipro.

For acute sinusitis patients whose disease progresses into chronic sinusitis, endoscopic sinus surgery is often helpful.

Acute Sinusitis Prognosis:

Sinusitis patients who do not seek medical care may develop severe health complications including intracranial diseases (such as meningitis, brain abscess, epidural empyema, subdural empyema), extracranial health complications (such as blindness, orbital abscess, orbital cellulitis, and osteomyelitis).

Don't forget to check out Lung Disease News section of this website for the latest Sinusitis News and our Lung Disease Articles for the latest Acute Sinusitis related Articles.

Note: Consult a qualified medical practitioner if you suspect lung disease. Information published at this mesothelioma lung disease asbestos cancer forum - or most other websites for that matter - should not be relied upon for health decisions. The information presented on this web site is not intended as a substitute for medical care, medical, legal, or professional advise. Please talk with your healthcare provider for all your health concerns.