Inflammation of the inner lining of the sinuses
For the joint inflammation condition, see
Synovitis .
Medical condition
Sinusitis Other names Sinus infection, rhinosinusitis A CT scan showing sinusitis of the ethmoid sinus Specialty Otorhinolaryngology Symptoms Thick nasal mucus, plugged nose, pain in the face, fever, sore throat, frequent attacks of cough[ 1] [ 2] [ 3] [unreliable medical source? ] Causes Infection (bacterial, fungal, viral), allergies , air pollution , structural problems in the nose[ 2] Risk factors Asthma , cystic fibrosis , poor immune function ,[ 1] otitis media, laryngitis, bronchitis, orbital cellulitis, meningitis and encephalitis [ 4] [unreliable medical source? ] Diagnostic method Usually based on symptoms[ 1] Differential diagnosis Migraine [ 5] Prevention Handwashing, avoiding smoking Treatment Pain medications , nasal steroids , nasal irrigation , antibiotic [ 1] [ 6] Frequency 10–30% each year (developed world)[ 1] [ 7]
Sinusitis , also known as rhinosinusitis , is an inflammation of the mucous membranes that line the sinuses resulting in symptoms that may include thick nasal mucus , a plugged nose , and facial pain .[ 1] [ 8]
Sinusitis usually occurs in individuals with underlying conditions[ 9] [unreliable medical source? ] like allergies , or structural problems in the nose[ 2] and in people with lesser immunity against bacteria by birth.[ 9] [unreliable medical source? ] Most cases are caused by a viral infection .[ 2] Recurrent episodes are more likely in persons with asthma , cystic fibrosis , and poor immune function .[ 1] In early stages an ear nose and throat (ENT) doctor confirms sinusitis using nasal endoscopy.[ 10] [unreliable medical source? ] Diagnostic imaging is not usually needed in acute stage[ 10] unless complications are suspected.[ 1] In chronic cases, confirmatory testing is recommended by either direct visualization or computed tomography .[ 1]
Some cases may be prevented by hand washing, immunization , and avoiding smoking .[ 2] Pain killers such as naproxen , nasal steroids , and nasal irrigation may be used to help with symptoms.[ 1] [ 6] Recommended initial treatment for acute sinusitis is watchful waiting .[ 1] If symptoms do not improve in 7–10 days or get worse, then an antibiotic may be used or changed.[ 1] In those in whom antibiotics are used, either amoxicillin or amoxicillin/clavulanate is recommended first line, with amoxicillin/clavulanate being superior to amoxicillin alone but with more side effects.[ 11] [ 1] Surgery may occasionally be used in people with chronic disease[ 12] or in someone who is not responding to medicines as per doctor's expectation.[ 13] [unreliable medical source? ]
Sinusitis is a common condition.[ 1] It affects between about 10 and 30 percent of people each year in the United States and Europe.[ 1] [ 7] Chronic sinusitis affects about 12.5% of people.[ 14] Treatment of sinusitis in the United States results in more than US$ 11 billion in costs.[ 1] The unnecessary and ineffective treatment of viral sinusitis with antibiotics is common.[ 1]
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Rosenfeld RM, Piccirillo JF, Chandrasekhar SS, Brook I, Kumar KA, Kramper M, et al. (April 2015). "Clinical practice guideline (update): Adult Sinusitis Executive Summary" . Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery . 152 (4): 598–609. doi :10.1177/0194599815574247 . PMID 25833927 . S2CID 206469424 .
^ a b c d e "Sinus Infection (Sinusitis)" . cdc.gov . September 30, 2013. Archived from the original on 7 April 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2015 .
^ Koralla DR (2021-06-27). "Sinus infection symptoms | Problems with sinuses" . MedyBlog . Archived from the original on 2022-12-12. Retrieved 2022-12-13 . [unreliable medical source? ]
^ Cite error: The named reference Medyblog-Meghanadh-2022c
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ "Migraines vs. Sinus Headaches" . American Migraine Foundation . Archived from the original on 2017-07-28. Retrieved 2017-10-23 .
^ a b King D, Mitchell B, Williams CP, Spurling GK (April 2015). "Saline nasal irrigation for acute upper respiratory tract infections" (PDF) . The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews . 2015 (4): CD006821. doi :10.1002/14651858.CD006821.pub3 . PMC 9475221 . PMID 25892369 . Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-08-29. Retrieved 2018-04-20 .
^ a b Adkinson NF (2014). Middleton's allergy: principles and practice (Eight ed.). Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders. p. 687. ISBN 9780323085939 . Archived from the original on 2016-06-03.
^ Head K, Chong LY, Piromchai P, Hopkins C, Philpott C, Schilder AG, et al. (April 2016). "Systemic and topical antibiotics for chronic rhinosinusitis" (PDF) . The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews . 2016 (4): CD011994. doi :10.1002/14651858.CD011994.pub2 . PMC 8763400 . PMID 27113482 . S2CID 205210696 . Archived (PDF) from the original on 2018-07-22. Retrieved 2019-09-17 .
^ a b Meghanadh DK (2022-11-14). "What causes sinusitis infection?" . Medy Blog . Archived from the original on 2022-12-12. Retrieved 2022-12-13 . [unreliable medical source? ]
^ a b Meghanadh DK (2022-11-16). "Sinusitis Diagnosis - How to identify it?" . Medy Blog . Archived from the original on 2022-12-12. Retrieved 2022-12-13 . [unreliable medical source? ]
^ Orlandi RR, Kingdom TT, Smith TL, Bleier B, DeConde A, Luong AU, et al. (2021). "International consensus statement on allergy and rhinology: rhinosinusitis 2021" (PDF) . International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology . 11 (3). Wiley: 213–739. doi :10.1002/alr.22741 . ISSN 2042-6976 . PMID 33236525 . S2CID 227165628 . Archived (PDF) from the original on 2023-03-07. Retrieved 2023-01-21 .
^ "How Is Sinusitis Treated?" . April 3, 2012. Archived from the original on 5 April 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2015 .
^ Meghanadh DK (2022-12-05). "Treatment for Sinusitis- Acute, Chronic & Subacute stages" . Medy Blog . Archived from the original on 2022-12-13. Retrieved 2022-12-13 . [unreliable medical source? ]
^ Hamilos DL (October 2011). "Chronic rhinosinusitis: epidemiology and medical management". The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology . 128 (4): 693–707, quiz 708–9. doi :10.1016/j.jaci.2011.08.004 . PMID 21890184 .