Chronic Sinusitis

Chronic Sinusitis is defined as a sinus infection lasting longer than six to eight weeks. An infection lasting less than six to eight weeks is considered acute.

The factors involved in Chronic Sinusitis are:
Structural Obstructions
Allergies
Fungal Infections
Deviated Septum
Nasal Polyposis

The common symptoms of Chronic Sinusitis are:
Sinus Pressure
Pain with Nasal Drainage
Nasal Obstruction
Congestion
Headaches

Patients are clinically evaluated for their symptoms for diagnosis. Along with a clinical evaluation a CT of the sinuses, nasal endoscopic and rhinoscopic evaluations are used to diagnose Chronic Sinusitis. When diagnosing Chronic Sinusitis with a CT exam, the clinician is looking at the osteomeatal complex, which is the area where all of the sinuses drain into the nasal cavity. An obstruction in this area is a souce of recurrent and chronic sinus issues. Abnormal scans will show sinuses filled with fluid or thickened mucous membranes.

Treatments of Chronic Sinusitis include:
Nasal Rinses with Antibiotics
Nasal Steroid Sprays
Oral Steroids
Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

With the endoscopic sinus surgery the abnormal obstructive tissues are removed. Sometimes a sinus shaver is used which precisely removes redundant mucosa and thin bones causing obstructions.

Patients outlook after surgery most patients experience easier nasal breathing, a reduced number and frequency of sinus issues, and sinus related headaches improves.

These images came from facialbeauty.com and demonstrate coronal CT images before and after sinus surgery.