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Acute Sinusitis
Introduction
Rhinosinusitis is the inflammation of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, typically resulting from infection, allergy, or other causes. Rhinosinusitis is classified into the following categories, based more on consensus rather than empirical research:[1]
- Acute: Symptoms lasting less than 4 weeks
- Subacute: Symptoms lasting between 4 and 12 weeks
- Chronic: Symptoms lasting more than 12 weeks
- Recurrent: Four episodes lasting less than 4 weeks with complete symptom resolution between episodes
Acute sinusitis involves inflammation of the lining of the paranasal sinuses. Because the sinus passages are connected to the nasal passages, the term rhinosinusitis is often more accurate. Acute rhinosinusitis is a frequently diagnosed condition, accounting for approximately 30 million primary care visits annually and contributing to an estimated $11 billion in healthcare costs. This condition is also a primary reason for antibiotic prescriptions in both the United States and worldwide. Given recent guidelines and concerns about antibiotic resistance and responsible antibiotic use, having clear treatment protocols for this common condition is essential for diagnosis.[2][3]
Acute rhinosinusitis caused by viral upper respiratory infections and noninfectious conditions should be distinguished from acute bacterial rhinosinusitis based on illness pattern and duration of illness. Acute sinusitis diagnosis depends on the presence of purulent nasal drainage for up to 4 weeks. The clinical challenge lies in the fact that neither purulent nasal drainage nor symptom duration is diagnostic for both bacterial and viral agents.[4][5] Most clinicians rely on the three main symptoms, including purulent nasal drainage, facial or dental pain, and nasal obstruction complaints; however, these do not lead to definitive diagnoses.[6][7] Evaluation should always include vital signs and a thorough examination of the head and neck. To complicate the clinical picture, up to 2% of patients with viral rhinosinusitis also develop a bacterial infection concurrently.[8] Finally, fever may be present with viral rhinosinusitis initially, but it also does not predict a bacterial infection.[7][9]
Generally, radiographic imaging has limited utility in acute rhinosinusitis unless there is evidence of a complication or an alternative diagnosis.[1] Plain film radiographs are less reliable than coronal computed tomographic (CT) scans when surgical intervention is needed. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is generally not helpful unless a fungal infection or tumor is suspected. Ultrasound offers limited usefulness. Most otolaryngologists prefer fiberoptic sinus endoscopy combined with targeted culture in challenging cases.
Management typically involves symptomatic treatment and close monitoring in most cases. These measures include humidification, warm compresses, hydration, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and, in some cases, mucolytic agents to enhance patient comfort. Antihistamines are not advised, and decongestants should be used cautiously and only temporarily.
Although antibiotics are often presumed to be the preferred treatment, their use in acute bacterial rhinosinusitis remains a topic of discussion, as randomized controlled trials have not conclusively demonstrated significant advantages in employing antibiotics for the management of acute sinusitis.[10] Furthermore, systematic reviews of patients with radiologic or bacteriologic confirmation showed no significant difference in clinical resolution rates between those treated with amoxicillin or amoxicillin-clavulanate and those treated with cephalosporins or macrolides.[11][12][13]
In most cases of acute rhinosinusitis, surgical intervention is not required, and medical treatment remains the standard approach. Exceptions include patients who do not respond to medical management, show rapidly worsening symptoms, or have a suspicion of an abscess or complications involving the eyes or nervous system that could threaten the patient's safety or life.
Treatment may fail in many patients without close follow-up. Fortunately, complications are infrequent. Preventing complications such as mucoceles, osteomyelitis, and orbital and intracranial issues should be the top priority in patients showing unusual signs and symptoms. [14]
Etiology
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Etiology
Paranasal sinuses have traditionally been considered physiologically sterile; however, research indicates that even healthy individuals may have sinus colonization.[15] Sinusitis is believed to begin with the obstruction and retention of mucus drainage, creating an environment conducive to infectious agents. Alternatively, it is proposed that organisms that may colonize the nasal cavity and nasopharynx could contaminate the sinuses if mucociliary clearance is compromised or disrupted.[16][17]
The duration of signs and symptoms arbitrarily distinguishes between acute and chronic sinusitis. Nonetheless, acute sinusitis is associated with infection, whereas chronic sinusitis is primarily characterized by inflammation.[18] Clinical discourse persists concerning the etiologies of both conditions. Nevertheless, it appears reasonable to consider that acute sinusitis may result from an underlying etiology induced by an infectious agent, such as viruses, bacteria, or, in rare cases, fungi.
Common Etiologic Agents in Rhinosinusitis
- Viruses (most common) [19]
- Rhinovirus
- Influenza virus
- Parainfluenza virus
- Adenovirus
- Coronavirus
- Respiratory syncytial virus
- Enterovirus
- Bacteria [20]
- Fungi: Rare, typically associated with allergic fungal sinusitis and similar to allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis [26]
- Aspergillus species
- Alternaria species
- Bipolaris
- Curvularia species [27] (associated with intranasal drug use)
In immunosuppressed individuals—such as those with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, those with HIV-positive status, those undergoing active cancer treatment, and those on immunosuppressants after organ transplantation or managing rheumatologic conditions—a rare form of acute fungal sinusitis can occur, known as invasive fungal sinusitis.[28] Invasive fungal sinusitis is a highly aggressive infection with unclear treatment parameters and poor outcomes. Common fungal species linked to these cases include Mucor, Rhizopus, Rhizomucor, and Aspergillus. A distinction should be made between acute invasive fungal sinusitis, which typically occurs in immunosuppressed individuals, and allergic fungal sinusitis, which affects immunocompetent individuals as a mass-like lesion in the sinus cavity and often presents with chronic symptoms.
Epidemiology
Sinusitis is more common from early fall to late spring, making it one of the most prevalent medical conditions that carries a significant socioeconomic burden due to both direct and indirect costs.[29] Rhinosinusitis affects approximately 15% of the US population, or about 35 million people annually, and ranks as the fifth most common reason for prescribing antibiotics.[30][31] Acute bacterial sinusitis is likely underreported by patients and overdiagnosed and overtreated by clinicians.
Children typically experience more than 6 upper respiratory infections annually, with approximately 6% to 13% of these viral cases developing into acute bacterial sinusitis. Adults are less likely to develop bacterial sinusitis after a viral infection, but the rate could still be around 2%. Consequently, ongoing efforts focus on promoting responsible antibiotic use among healthcare providers to decrease unnecessary prescriptions and curb bacterial resistance.[32]
Some studies report that women have nearly twice the rate of rhinosinusitis compared to men, but others do not show a gender difference. Most studies do not differentiate between acute and chronic rhinosinusitis, and limited data exist, although some evidence suggests that the link between asthma and nasal polyps is stronger in women.[33][34]
Pathophysiology
The nasal cavity is cylindrical and segmented by the nasal septum, which, in the majority of individuals, exhibits a natural S-shaped curvature and is composed of both bone and cartilage. Adults possess 4 paired paranasal sinus cavities—the ethmoid, sphenoid, frontal, and maxillary sinuses—each lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium. The frontal sinuses typically develop between the ages of 5 and 6 and reach their full size after puberty. The sphenoid sinus begins to pneumatize at about 5 years but typically does not fully develop until between the ages of 20 and 30. In children, only the ethmoid and maxillary sinuses are present at birth.[35] The ethmoid sinus is separated from the orbit by only a thin layer of bone called the lamina papyracea. As a result, orbital infections typically originate from the ethmoid sinus, which is more common in younger children. Intracranial complications generally stem from the frontal sinuses and are more frequent in older children or adults.
The function of the paranasal sinuses has long been a topic of debate. Proposed theories include the following:[36]
- Decreasing the relative weight of the skull
- Increasing the resonance of the voice
- Providing a buffer against facial trauma
- Insulating sensitive structures from rapid temperature fluctuations in the nose
- Humidifying and heating inspired air
- Contributing to immunological defense
Nasal and paranasal anatomy varies among individuals, which increases the complexity of conditions affecting the paranasal sinuses. The paranasal sinuses are prone to inflammation and infection, and tissue overgrowth or polyps can develop as a result. Fortunately, cancers of the nasal and paranasal sinuses are rare. The pathophysiology of sinusitis is based on 3 main principles.
- Obstruction of sinus drainage
- Mucosal swelling
- Inflammation
- Rhinitis
- Systemic disorders
- Immunologic disorders
- Trauma
- Physical obstruction
- Nasal polyps
- Foreign bodies
- Deviated septum
- Enlarged turbinates
- Tumors
- Altered mucociliary transport mechanism through coordinated activity of ciliated columnar epithelium [37]
- Hypoxia resulting from sinus obstruction may disrupt ciliary function
- Other causes that may result in the loss of cilia or ciliary function
- High airflow
- Cold or dry air
- Low pH
- Cigarette smoke
- Drinking alcohol
- Dehydration
- Drugs, such as antihistamines and anticholinergics
- Infectious agents
- Environmental toxins
- Inflammatory mediators
- Contact between 2 mucosal surfaces
- Scarring
- Masses, lesions, or foreign bodies
- Genetic factors such as Kartagener syndrome [38]
- Altered quality or inadequate mucus
- Loss of humidity
- Overproduction of mucus
- Increased viscosity (e.g., cystic fibrosis) [39]
Acute sinusitis results from a combination of factors. Although most patients and healthcare professionals mainly focus on infectious agents when managing acute sinusitis, the underlying causes are likely more related to altered paranasal sinus or ciliary function or obstruction. Such factors may explain why most patients notice improvement with supportive measures, such as humidification, warm compresses, hydration, and nasal saline sprays and rinses, rather than antibiotics.
Histopathology
Healthy sinuses are lined with ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium, which uses cilia to clear debris, mucus, and other substances. The mucosal edema, infiltration of granulocytes and lymphocytes, squamous metaplasia, and fibroblast proliferation associated with acute rhinosinusitis interfere with this process.[40]
History and Physical
Clinical practice guidelines recommend that the initial diagnosis of acute sinusitis should focus on the following key considerations:[1]
- Exclusion of other causes of illness
- Evaluation for complications if the patient worsens or fails to improve with supportive care
- Differentiation between acute, chronic, and recurrent acute sinusitis
- Assessment for underlying comorbidities, such as:
- Asthma
- Cystic fibrosis
- Immunocompromise
- Ciliary dyskinesia
The 3 cardinal symptoms that are most sensitive and specific for acute rhinosinusitis are purulent nasal drainage accompanied by either nasal obstruction or facial pain, pressure, or fullness. These symptoms must be clearly distinguished from patients who present with general headache complaints. An isolated headache is not a typical symptom of sinusitis, except in rare cases of sphenoid sinusitis, which may present as an occipital or vertex headache and is usually chronic. In contrast, facial pressure is a more characteristic finding. The attentive clinician must actively gather this history from the patient to accurately identify the exact symptoms being experienced.[41]
When key symptoms last longer than 10 days or worsen after an initial improvement—known as double worsening—it may indicate acute bacterial rhinosinusitis. Other signs of acute rhinosinusitis include cough, fatigue, hyposmia, anosmia, maxillary dental pain, and ear fullness or pressure. Anterior rhinoscopy may reveal mucopurulent discharge from the osteomeatal complex, which can be confirmed with sinus endoscopy.[1] Directed endoscopic culture may be beneficial, but it may also delay diagnosis.
Children show slight differences in the clinical signs of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis. Besides the 10-day duration, key symptoms, and double worsening, children are more prone to have fevers. Initially, nasal discharge may be watery and then become purulent. A viral upper respiratory infection accounts for approximately 80% of pediatric acute bacterial sinusitis cases.[42]
Severe symptoms are more indicative of a bacterial or systemic cause. Such symptoms include high fevers (over 39 °C or 102 °F) accompanied by purulent nasal discharge or facial pain lasting for 3 to 4 consecutive days at the start of the illness. Viral illnesses typically resolve after 3 to 5 days.[43]
Factors contributing to antibiotic resistance should be carefully considered when managing acute rhinosinusitis. These factors include:[44]
- Antibiotic use within the last month
- Hospitalization within the previous 5 days
- Employment in a healthcare setting
- Local patterns of antibiotic resistance are known to healthcare organizations in the community
Finally, it is important to assess whether the patient is at higher risk for complications. Risk factors include:[1]
- Comorbidities, such as cardiac, renal, or hepatic disease
- Immunocompromised states
- Age younger than 2 years or older than 65 years
Fungal acute rhinosinusitis is most commonly associated with fever, nasal obstruction or bleeding, and facial pain in immunocompromised patients, although it can also be asymptomatic. Refractory or severe symptoms in an immunocompromised patient should prompt consideration of this diagnosis.[45]
Evaluation
Acute sinusitis is a clinical diagnosis. Conventional diagnostic criteria for rhinosinusitis in adults require the patient to have at least 2 major symptoms or 1 major plus 2 or more minor symptoms. The criteria for children are similar, but there is greater emphasis on nasal discharge rather than nasal obstruction.
Signs and Symptoms
Major symptoms:
- Purulent anterior nasal discharge
- Purulent or discolored posterior nasal discharge
- Nasal congestion or obstruction
- Facial congestion or fullness
- Facial pain or pressure
- Hyposmia or anosmia
- Fever (for acute sinusitis only)
Minor symptoms:
- Headache
- Ear pain, pressure, or fullness
- Halitosis
- Dental pain
- Cough
- Fever (for subacute or chronic sinusitis)
- Fatigue
Among all physical findings, the purulence in the nasal cavity or posterior pharynx is the only finding shown to have diagnostic value. The initial diagnostic evaluation should include:[1]
- Measurement of vital signs, such as temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and respiratory rate
- Physical examination of the head and neck
- Particular attention should be paid to the presence or absence of the following:
- Altered (hyponasal) speech indicating nasal obstruction
- Swelling
- Redness of the skin due to congestion of the capillaries (erythema) or abnormally large fluid volume (edema) localized over the involved cheekbone or periorbital area
- Palpable cheek tenderness or percussion tenderness of the upper teeth
- Signs of extra-sinus involvement, including orbital or facial cellulitis, orbital protrusion, abnormalities of eye movement, and neck stiffness
Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis may be differentiated from viral upper respiratory infection using the following clinical guidance. This condition can be diagnosed if any of the 3 diagnostic criteria are true:[1][2][42][44]
- Duration of symptoms for more than 10 days
- High fever (over 39 °C or 102 °F) with purulent nasal discharge or facial pain that lasts for 3 to 4 consecutive days at the beginning of the illness
- Double worsening of symptoms within the first 10 days
Laboratory Studies
Laboratory studies have limited utility in the routine evaluation of acute sinusitis.
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein level may be elevated but are nonspecific.
- A complete blood cell count with differential may be within normal reference ranges.
- Laboratory studies are unnecessary unless there is a suspicion of cystic fibrosis (sweat chloride test),[46] ciliary dysfunction, or immunodeficiency (immunoglobulin studies or HIV serology)
Nasal cytology:
- Useful to distinguish allergic rhinitis, eosinophilia, and nasal polyposis [42]
- May be used to identify aspirin sensitivity (Samter syndrome) [47]
Nasal or sinus cultures:
- Limited value because of normal flora contamination unless:
- Signs of immunocompromise
- Failure to respond to medical management
- Signs of complications of sinusitis
- Endoscopic sinus culture at the middle meatus in adults may provide helpful information and may be similar to maxillary sinus puncture cultures.[48][49]
- Bedside maxillary sinus puncture cultures are valuable for patients with critical illness or immunocompromised conditions.[50]
Imaging:
- Plain film radiographs, including Waters, Caldwell, and Lateral views, may show diffuse opacification, mucosal thickening, or air-fluid levels. However, they are generally unnecessary and unreliable.[51]
- A CT scan is considered the gold standard for diagnosing chronic sinusitis. Still, it has poor specificity for acute sinusitis because nearly 50% asymptomatic patients and almost 90% of those with upper respiratory tract infections may show sinus air-fluid levels on the scan.[52][53]
- Coronal views are preferred for nasal and sinus anatomy.
- Delaying the CT scan until after the acute infection is preferred.
- A limited sinus CT scan may be preferred over a Waters view due to lower radiation exposure, especially in children.
- MRI scans have limited utility unless there is suspicion of a tumor or fungal infection. MRI is not as specific as CT for detecting bone pathology, but it may be used to evaluate intracranial or ophthalmologic extension of disease.
- Ultrasonography has limited utility. A-mode may help in the screening of maxillary sinus fluid. B-mode may also detect mucosal thickening or soft tissue mass.[54]
Sinus endoscopy:
- Most otolaryngologists prefer rigid sinus endoscopy with video imaging and recording or image capture.
- Sinus endoscopy helps identify purulence emanating from the middle meatus for culture, nasal polyps, structural abnormalities, fungal disease, or granulomatous disease.
- This technique is helpful in rare cases for paranasal biopsy.
Treatment / Management
Many patients with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections often misinterpret their condition as acute sinusitis and request unnecessary antibiotics. Patients mainly aim to reduce or eliminate the severity and duration of symptoms. Clinicians should also focus on this goal but additionally aim to eradicate the infection and prevent complications, especially related to worsening systemic infections or ophthalmologic or intracranial sequelae.
Symptomatic treatment should be the first-line approach in most cases.
- Encourage use of:
- Nonnarcotic analgesics
- Humidification
- Hydration and proper nutrition
- Nasal saline irrigation [55]
- Intranasal nasal steroids [56]
- Decongestants (α-adrenergic)
- Guaifenesin (mucolytic) may offer symptom relief, but there is no evidence to show that it works for acute sinusitis.[59]
- Topical ipratropium bromide 0.06% may decrease rhinorrhea [60]
(A1)
Antimicrobial Therapy
- There is ongoing clinical debate regarding which patients may benefit from antibiotic therapy and when antibiotics should be initiated.[62][63]
- The duration of pain or illness related to acute bacterial rhinosinusitis does not consistently relate to initial treatment.[64]
- Adverse events were more common in patients treated with antibiotics.[65]
- Complications were similar regardless of the initial management approach.[66]
- Patterns of bacterial resistance should also be considered when selecting antibiotics. (A1)
Antibiotic choice and duration:
- A 5- to 10-day course of amoxicillin 500 mg 3 times daily is recommended as the first-line treatment.[1]
- Penicillins and cephalosporins appear to be equally effective.[10]
- Macrolide antibiotics and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole are not recommended as initial treatment for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis because of the high rate of macrolide-resistant S pneumoniae.[67]
- Fluoroquinolones are not recommended as first-line treatment for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis in patients without a penicillin allergy, as outcomes are similar to those of amoxicillin-clavulanate, and adverse events are more common in some studies.[68]
- High-dose amoxicillin with clavulanate (2 g orally twice daily or 90 mg/kg/d orally twice daily) is recommended if an amoxicillin-resistant organism is suspected.[44]
- Azithromycin may be less effective due to its anti-inflammatory effects, high rate of gastrointestinal adverse effects, and poor effectiveness against S pneumoniae and H influenzae.[69]
- The recommended duration of antibiotics is 10 days for most types; however, some studies have shown no difference between a 3- to 7-day course and a 6- to 10-day course.[70]
- Antibiotic therapy does not necessarily reduce the duration of symptoms or the rates of complications in adults. Many cases of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis can also resolve spontaneously within 2 weeks.[71] (A1)
For patients who do not respond to initial treatment for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis, it is imperative to reassess their condition and confirm the accuracy of the diagnosis. In cases where the diagnosis is confirmed or a deteriorating pattern of illness is observed, further evaluation should be conducted to exclude the possibility of orbital or intracranial spread of infection. Targeted endoscopic sinus cultures from the middle meatus may assist in guiding subsequent antibiotic therapy.
Suspicion of the rare invasive form of acute fungal rhinosinusitis necessitates urgent assessment and referral to otolaryngology, neurosurgery, and ophthalmology for biopsy. Such patients require an integrated approach involving both medical and surgical management (debridement), should histology establish this diagnosis.[72]
Surgical Therapy
- Most patients do not require surgical intervention for acute sinusitis.
- Exceptions include:
- Acute frontal sinusitis, when conservative therapy fails, including intravenous antibiotics for 3 to 5 days
- Acute maxillary sinusitis in immunocompromised or critically ill patients
- Isolated acute sphenoid sinusitis, when there is no improvement with intravenous antibiotics within 24 hours [73]
- Acute ethmoid sinusitis associated with any of the following:
- Failure to respond to medical management or presence of recurrent acute sinusitis
- Rapid disease progression
- Development of an abscess in the paranasal sinuses, orbit, or intracranial cavities
- Threat to survival
Differential Diagnosis
Several conditions can mimic the clinical presentation of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis and should be considered in the differential diagnosis.
- Upper respiratory infection
- Common cold (rhinovirus)
- Staphylococcal infection
- COVID-19
- H influenzae infections
- Influenza
- Moraxella catarrhalis infection
- Mucomycosis (Zygomycosis) (rare)
- Otitis media
- Human parainfluenza virus or other parainfluenza viruses
- Allergic and nonallergic rhinitis
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- Bronchiectasis
- Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener granulomatosis) [74]
- Ataxia-telangiectasia [75]
- Cystic fibrosis
- Immotile cilia syndrome [76]
- Kartagener syndrome [38]
- Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome [77]
- Yellow nail syndrome [78]
- Referred pain, such as dental infection or abscess
- Associated disorders
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Dental abscess
- Periapical abscess
- Migraine headache
- Tension headache
- Chronic invasive fungal sinusitis
- Sinonasal neoplasm
- Primary ciliary dyskinesia
- Unilateral choanal atresia
- Immune deficiency (immunoglobulins A and G)
- Nasal foreign body
- Deviated septum
- Enlarged inferior or middle turbinates
- Enlarged or infected tonsils and adenoids
Prognosis
Acute sinusitis and acute bacterial sinusitis are typically self-limited. Most patients recover with symptomatic treatment or antibiotics without long-term complications. Many individuals experience an episode of acute sinusitis and never take antibiotics. As a result, the true occurrence of acute sinusitis may be underestimated. An isolated case of acute sinusitis does not necessarily predispose a person to recurrent or chronic sinus disease.
Complications
Complications are uncommon, occurring in approximately 1 out of every 1000 cases.[2] Sinus infections can spread to the orbit, bone, or intracranial cavities.
Approximately 80% of orbitocranial complications occur in the orbit. These complications can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. The orbit is the most common site because it is separated from the ethmoid sinus by a very thin layer of bone. The Chandler classification is the most commonly used method for grading orbital complications of sinusitis infection, listed from least to most severe:[79]
- Preseptal cellulitis
- Orbital cellulitis
- Subperiosteal abscess
- Orbital abscess
- Cavernous sinus thrombosis
Intracranial complications are extremely rare and include the formation of a subdural hematoma, epidural hematoma, meningitis, or a subdural empyema (the latter has a high mortality rate). Pott's puffy tumor is a subperiosteal abscess of the frontal bone, typically linked to osteomyelitis. Both complications typically originate from frontal sinus infections, spreading through the valveless diploic vein system via the bloodstream.
Finally, acute fungal sinusitis may occur in both noninvasive and invasive forms as a complication.[80] The invasive form can spread to surrounding structures and requires prompt recognition to prevent life-threatening consequences.[72]
Consultations
Referral to an otolaryngologist is typically unnecessary for uncomplicated acute sinusitis, as most cases are viral and resolve on their own. However, otolaryngology consultation is warranted in the following situations:
- Recurrent or chronic sinusitis
- Failure to improve despite medical therapy
- Severe, unrelenting pain
- Comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus or a possible immunologic or ciliary disorder without improvement
Referral to other specialties may also be indicated in the presence of potential complications:
- Orbital complications (ophthalmology consultation)
- Extraocular movement pain or dysfunction
- Periorbital or orbital erythema, swelling, or loss of vision
- Neurologic or intracranial complications (neurology or neurosurgery consultation)
- Mental status changes
- Intractable headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Vertigo
- Cranial nerve abnormalities
- Seizures
Deterrence and Patient Education
Patients are more eager to understand and obtain detailed medical information about their health conditions, especially with the rise of Internet search engines. Patients and their families must be well-informed about the most relevant, current, consistent, and updated data regarding acute sinusitis and acute bacterial sinusitis. This knowledge helps them better understand their signs and symptoms, learn about diagnostic procedures, recognize when and how to use supportive measures, and decide the appropriate timing and necessity of antibiotic therapy. Additionally, patients should know when to seek medical help if treatments are ineffective. Education plays a key role in prevention by empowering patients to make informed decisions about their symptoms, which may indicate the presence of acute bacterial sinusitis that needs intervention, or signal possible comorbidities, systemic illnesses, or complications. By understanding the risks and benefits and adopting preventive strategies, patients can avoid adverse health outcomes and improve their overall health and well-being.
Pearls and Other Issues
Key points regarding acute sinusitis include the following:
- Most cases of acute sinusitis are viral and typically resolve with supportive care, often without the need for antibiotics.
- Antibiotic therapy should be used cautiously and selected wisely to prevent overuse and the development of antibiotic resistance.
- Patients who do not improve despite medical treatment or who exhibit signs of complications, other health issues, or systemic disease should be referred to an otolaryngologist.
- Acute sinusitis does not always progress to recurrent or chronic sinusitis.
- Surgical intervention for acute sinusitis is rare but may be necessary in severe, isolated infections.
Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes
Providing patient-centered care for individuals with acute sinusitis requires a collaborative, interprofessional approach involving clinicians, advanced practice practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers. Primarily, healthcare providers must possess the requisite clinical skills, comprehensive knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the nose and paranasal sinuses, and expertise in diagnosing, evaluating, and managing this condition. Such expertise encompasses proficiency in interpreting patient histories, physical examinations, laboratory results, and radiologic findings, as well as recognizing potential complications and understanding the nuances of viral and bacterial infections; inflammatory diseases, such as rhinitis and asthma; ciliary disorders; and immunocompromised states. Consultation with otolaryngology specialists, infectious disease specialists, ophthalmologists, neurologists, or neurosurgeons may be indicated depending on the clinical scenario and response to conservative treatments. An evidence-based, strategic approach coupled with individualized care plans tailored to each patient's specific circumstances is indispensable.
Ethical considerations hold paramount importance when determining treatment options, respecting patient autonomy in decision-making, and mitigating risks associated with antibiotic resistance. Defined responsibilities within the interprofessional team should ensure that each member contributes their specialized expertise to optimize patient outcomes. Effective interprofessional communication fosters a collaborative environment where information is shared, inquiries are addressed, and concerns are managed promptly.
Furthermore, effective care coordination is essential to ensuring seamless and efficient patient care. Clinicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers must collaborate to streamline the patient's journey from diagnosis through treatment and follow-up. An essential aspect of managing acute sinusitis involves encouraging patients to seek assistance when necessary and establishing realistic expectations regarding the immediate use of antibiotics. This coordination minimizes errors, reduces delays, and enhances patient safety, ultimately leading to improved outcomes, the prevention of serious complications, and the delivery of patient-centered care that prioritizes the well-being and satisfaction of those affected by acute sinusitis.
The opinions and assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the Department of the Army, Department of the Air Force, Department of Defense, or the US government.
Media
(Click Image to Enlarge)
Lund-Mackay Scoring System for Staging Sinusitis. This scoring system for staging sinusitis is based on a noncontrast CT scan of the sinuses.
Contributed by CB Shermetaro, DO
(Click Image to Enlarge)
Acute Sinusitis
Contributed by S Bhimji, MD
(Click Image to Enlarge)
Sinus Anatomy. Illustrated image showcasing significant features around the facial sinuses.
Image courtesy S Bhimji MD
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