How to check for sinusitis?

Written by Li Rui

Otolaryngology

Updated on November 09, 2024

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The examination for sinusitis is mainly divided into three major categories. The first category is visual inspection. The second is endoscopic examination, and the third is radiologic examination.

Visual inspection mainly involves directly observing with the naked eye the mucosa inside the nasal cavity, the inferior turbinate, and assessing the presence of thick nasal mucus. For some patients, a basic diagnosis can be made through visual inspection alone.

However, for other patients whose conditions are not very clear, it becomes necessary to use endoscopic examinations, such as nasal endoscopy or fiberoptic nasopharyngoscopy, to visually inspect the interior of the nasal cavity and the nasopharynx for any abnormalities.

If the inflammation is severe and conservative medical treatment is ineffective, it may also be necessary to consider a CT scan of the sinuses to make a clearer and more accurate diagnosis.

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Written by Li Rui

Otolaryngology

43sec

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How to alleviate sinusitis?

The acute phase of sinusitis largely depends on the extent of the inflammation. If the inflammation is mild and the symptoms are atypical or slight, saline nasal irrigation can be considered. If the inflammatory reaction is severe and accompanied by clear symptoms like nasal congestion, purulent nasal discharge, headaches, and dizziness, then medical treatment should be considered. Generally, the treatment consists primarily of oral antibiotics, along with traditional Chinese medicines and mucolytics, supplemented with nasal sprays. Regular follow-ups are advised, and the treatment period usually ranges from one to two weeks. If standardized medication does not work, or in the case of fungal sinusitis, surgery may be necessary.

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Written by Li Rui

Otolaryngology

1min 1sec

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What is acute sinusitis?

Acute sinusitis is an acute inflammatory response of the sinuses caused by a sudden bacterial infection. Clinically, the most common sites of lesion are the maxillary sinuses and ethmoid sinuses, though some patients may also experience inflammation in the frontal sinuses or sphenoid sinuses. The main symptoms include sudden nasal congestion, purulent nasal discharge, headaches, dizziness, and reduced sense of smell. If the inflammatory response is particularly severe, it may also affect vision or cause fever and a feeling of heaviness in the head. Overall, it is considered to be an acute inflammatory response, primarily treated clinically with antibiotics to counter the infection, along with the use of nasal sprays and nasal irrigation, typically with saline solution. Regular follow-up checks are required, and the recovery period generally lasts about one to two weeks. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor based on specific circumstances.)

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Written by Li Rui

Otolaryngology

1min 9sec

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Can sinusitis cause a fever?

Sinusitis may cause fever, but this is mainly seen in acute sinusitis or during the acute flare-ups of chronic sinusitis, which relatively tends to provoke a fever. If it is just a mild case of sinusitis or plain chronic sinusitis, most patients do not experience significant fever changes, but they might have symptoms like nasal congestion, runny nose, headaches, dizziness, and a decrease in the sense of smell. When experiencing a fever, it is important to visit an otolaryngology department as soon as possible where you might consider undergoing a routine blood test to check the extent of the inflammatory response. Most patients will need to consider antibiotic treatment for the infection. If the body temperature exceeds 38.5 degrees Celsius, there may be a need to consider antipyretic medications. If the fever is below 38.5 degrees, physical cooling measures are generally recommended, but it is necessary to regularly reassess and monitor the temperature, selecting targeted treatments based on the fluctuations of the condition. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Xu Qing Tian

Otolaryngology

57sec

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Is sinusitis a serious illness?

Sinusitis is a common and frequently occurring disease in otolaryngology. Patients with sinusitis mainly suffer from blockages at the sinus openings due to polyps, tumors, and mucosal edema, which leads to pus and fluid accumulation within the sinuses. The primary symptoms in patients include nasal congestion, runny nose, headaches, and fever. For patients with sinusitis, the first step should be to use a paranasal sinus CT scan to make a definitive diagnosis of the disease and identify the affected sinus locations. Treatment can then involve the use of decongestants and corticosteroid medications to address symptoms. For sinusitis caused by foreign bodies or nasal polyps and tumors, surgical opening of the sinus openings can be performed to restore normal sinus drainage and cure the disease. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Rui

Otolaryngology

56sec

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Can sinusitis cause a fever?

Sinusitis can potentially cause fever, primarily seen in cases of acute sinusitis or acute exacerbation of chronic sinusitis. Additionally, some cases are due to a systemic or localized inflammatory response caused by fungal sinusitis, leading to related changes in the condition. For fever, it is first necessary to check the body temperature. If the temperature is below 38.5 degrees Celsius, physical cooling methods are generally recommended. If the temperature exceeds 38.5 degrees Celsius, antipyretic medications should be considered. In cases of acute bacterial infections, timely antibiotic treatment for infection should be considered, along with using saline solution to wash the nasal cavity. If inflammation occurs repeatedly and conservative medication treatment is not effective, surgery may need to be considered.