Sinusitis

Sinus infection accounts for close to 16 million office visits per year ( USA ). Sinusitis is more common from early fall to early spring. It is much more common in adults than children. approximately 0.5 % of upper respiratory tract infections are complicated by sinusitis. Acute sinusitis is the second most common infectious disease seen by GPs ( Acute sinusitis Can Fam Physician 2011). This review covers acute sinusitis presentation.

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the mucosal lining of the paranasal sinuses . Inflammation of the sinus cavities is almost always accompanied by inflammation of the nasal cavities - RHINOSINUSITIS is a more suitable and preferred term

Obstruction of sinus drainage pathways Ciliary impairment Altered mucus quantity and quality

Causes risk factors - Viral infection- most common cause and include○ Respiratory syncytial virus♦ Rhinovirus♦ Parainfluenza♦ Influenza with rhinovirus Acute bacterial infectionFollowing an episode of viral sinusitis 0.5 % to 2 % cases will progress to acute bacterial sinusitisSinusitis is one of the commonest reasons a healthcare professional will prescribe an antibioticMost commonly implicated bacteria are♣ Streptococcus pneumoniae♦ Haemophilus influenzae Allergic and non-allergic rhinitis Anatomical variations♦ abnormality of osteomeatal complex♦ septal deviation ♦ cleft palate♦ concha bullosa - pneumatized (...