II. Epidemiology
-
Incidence: 31 Million cases per year in U.S.
- United States clinic office visits: 1%
- Incidence: 14% annually in adults (25% lifetime Incidence)
- Fifth most common indication for Antibiotic prescription in the U.S.
- Sinuses affected
- Maxillary Sinus
- Most commonly infected in adults
- Frontal Sinus
- Next most commonly infected in adults
- Absent in 10% population and very young children
- Higher risk for intracranial spread
- Ethmoid Sinus
- Most commonly infected in children
- Sphenoid Sinus
- Isolated infection is rare
- Higher risk for intracranial spread
- Maxillary Sinus
III. Pathophysiology
- Background
- Viral Upper Respiratory Infections involve sinuses in 90% of cases
- Less than 1% of Upper Respiratory Infections evolve into documented Sinusitis
- Less than 10% of these documented Sinusitis cases are due to Bacterial superinfection
- Initial
- Mucosal inflammation of Paranasal Sinuses and nasal mucosa
- Nasal mucosa and sinus mucosa are contiguous and typically co-inflamed
- Sinus ostia irritation and edema
- Ciliary transport impaired by infection results in stasis of mucous
- Mucosal inflammation of Paranasal Sinuses and nasal mucosa
- Next
- Sinus ostia obstruction and stasis
- Subsequent sinus infection
IV. Types
- Acute Sinusitis
- Symptoms as long as 4 weeks
- Further subdivided into Bacterial or viral
- Subacute Sinusitis
- Symptoms persist between 4 to 12 weeks
-
Chronic Sinusitis
- Persistent Symptoms beyond 12 weeks
- Recurrent Sinusitis
- Four or more episodes per year
- Each episode lasts 7 days or more
- Symptom free intervals last greater than 2 months
V. Risk Factors
- Ciliary Disorder
- Tobacco use or smoke exposure
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Kartagener Syndrome (primary ciliary Dyskinesia)
- Mechanical obstruction
- Nasal Polyps
- Septal deviation
- Hypertrophic middle turbinates or concha bullosa
- Nasal Foreign Body
- Inflammatory disorder
- Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (previously known as Wegener's Granulomatosis)
- Sarcoidosis
- Mucosal edema and inflammation
- Preceding Upper Respiratory Infection or recurrent Upper Respiratory Infection
- Vasomotor Rhinitis
- Allergic Rhinitis and other hyperreactivity
- Allergens (e.g. pollens, molds, animal dander)
- Air pollutants
- Nonallergic (Samter's Triad)
- Asthma
- Nasal Polyps
- Aspirin sensitivity
- Iatrogenic causes
- Dental Infections and procedures
- Sinus Surgery
- Nasogastric Tubes
- Nasal Packing (e.g. Epistaxis)
- Mechanical Ventilation
- Immune disorder (predisposes to prolonged course, recurrence, fungal and other atypical infections)
- AIDS
- Congenital Hypogammaglobulinemia (IgA or IgG subclass deficiency)
- Post-Transplant with Immunosuppression
- Chemotherapy
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Chronic Corticosteroid use
VI. Causes
- Viral (most cases, 90 to 98% of all Rhinosinusitis)
- Rhinovirus (most common viral Sinusitis cause)
- Influenza
- Parainfluenza
- Adenovirus
- Coronavirus
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus
- Metapneumovirus
-
Bacterial (superinfection of up to 2% of viral Upper Respiratory Infections)
- Acute Sinusitis
- Chronic Sinusitis
- Anaerobes (>50%)
- Bacteroides
- Anaerobic Gram Positive Cocci
- Fusobacterium species
- Other less common causes
- Hemophilus Influenzae
- Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
- Escherichia coli
- Beta-hemolytic Streptococcus (e.g. Streptococcus Pyogenes)
- Neisseria causes
- Staphylococcus Aureus
- Not considered a significant cause of acute uncomplicated Sinusitis
- Anaerobes (>50%)
- Fungal (Immunocompromised or Diabetes Mellitus)
- Aspergillus
- Mucormycosis
- Fungus
VII. Symptoms: General
- Sinus "aching" pain or pressure
- Foul Nasal Discharge or postnasal discharge
- Purulent yellow or green Nasal Discharge
- Discharge color does not indicate Bacterial cause
- Discharge for >10 days suggests Bacterial Sinusitis
- Associated Nasal Symptoms
- Decreased Sense of Smell (Hyposmia or Anosmia)
- Halitosis
- Snoring
- Mouth breathing
- Nasal or hyponasal speech
- Generalized symptoms
- Symptoms NOT correlating with Sinusitis
- Sore Throat (except with postnasal discharge)
- Sneezing
- More typical of Allergic Rhinitis
VIII. Symptoms: Red Flags (consider imaging and ENT referral)
- High Fever over 102.2 F (39 C) or peristent fever
- Visual complaints (e.g. Diplopia)
- Periorbital edema or erythema
- Mental status changes
- Severe facial or Dental Pain
- Infraorbital hypesthesia
IX. Signs
- Nasal Mucosa edema and erythema
- Contrast with Allergic Rhinitis (pale, boggy mucosa)
- Nasal exam to view pus discharge from lateral wall
- Instruments
- Nasal speculum (minimal visualization)
- Flexible Nasolaryngoscopy
- Rigid optical scope (Otolaryngology use)
- Middle Meatus (hiatus semilunaris)
- Drains Maxillary, Frontal, and Anterior Ethmoid
- Consider local Topical Decongestant application
- Superior Meatus (Rarely discharge is seen)
- Drains posterior Ethmoid Sinus
- Instruments
- Turbinates enlarged
- Sinus tenderness to percussion
-
Sinus Transillumination in darkened room
- Frontal and Maxillary Sinus
X. Diagnosis: Cardinal Features of Bacterial Rhinosinusitis (IDSA)
- Treat as Sinusitis if at least 1 of 3 criteria present
- Onset with severe, IDSA Cardinal Signs or Symptoms
- High fever (>102.2 F or 39 C) AND
- Unilateral facial pain or pressure AND
- Purulent nasal drainage with obstruction of nasal passages AND
- Symptoms for at least 3 to 4 consecutive days from the start of the illness
- Persistent Acute Bacterial Rhinosinusitis symptoms >7 days without clinical improvement
- Double Sickening
- Initial viral Upper Respiratory Infection lasting 5 to 6 days and was improving
- Then, worsening findings (fever, Headache, increased Nasal Discharge) for at least 3 to 4 days
- References
XI. Diagnosis: Findings Most Suggestive of Bacterial Cause
- See Sinusitis Prediction Rules
- Symptoms persist beyond 10 days
- Under 10 days of symptoms, viral Sinusitis predominates
- By day 10, 40% of Sinusitis resolves spontaneously
- However, persistent symptoms >7 days is among the criteria for treatment (see above)
- Only 0.5% of viral URIs develop into Bacterial Sinusitis
- Symptoms worsen after 5-7 days ("double sickening")
- Typical course: Onset, then improvement, then worse again
- Purulent Nasal Discharge
- Maxillary tooth or facial pain (especially if unilateral)
- Unilateral Maxillary Sinus tenderness
- Foul Smelling odor (Cocosmia)
- References
XII. Labs
-
C-Reactive Protein (cRP)
- cRP >15 mg/dl is supportive of Acute Bacterial Rhinosinusitis
- Culture of nasal mucosa
- Not cost effective or helpful in management
- Does not correlate with sinus mucosa cultures
- Endoscope directed micro-swab culture
- Swab of hiatus semilunaris
- Protected from nasal contamination
- Accuracy: 80-85% compared with antral puncture
XIII. Imaging
- Indications for Imaging
- Imaging is not needed in routine cases (esp. Acute Sinusitis)
- Does not differentiate viral from Bacterial cause
- Empiric therapy for 1-2 courses is appropriate
- Complicated Sinusitis (esp. Immunocompromised patients)
- Chronic or recurrent Sinusitis
- Sinusitis refractory to maximal medical therapy
- Example: Amoxicillin course for 10 days followed by Levaquin course for 10-14 days
- Imaging is not needed in routine cases (esp. Acute Sinusitis)
-
Sinus XRay (not recommended)
- Single Waters' View XRay is sufficient
- Indication (rarely indicated unless CT not available)
- Complicated Acute Sinusitis
- Suspected Chronic Sinusitis
-
Sinus CT without contrast (gold standard)
- Indications (cases refractory to maximal medical therapy)
- Define Sinus Anatomy prior to Sinus Surgery
- Osteomeatal complex Occlusion
- Chronic Sinusitis
- Recurrent Sinusitis
- Allergic Fungal Sinusitis
- Suspected Orbital Cellulitis (perform with IV contrast)
- Findings
- Mucosal thickening >5mm is consistent with sinus infection
- Non-contrast CT
- Demonstrates fluid and mucosal edema, as well as bony destruction
- Fat stranding (increased density) may be present in para-sinus spaces
- CT-Contrast CT
- Necrotic tissue and fluid does not contrast enhance
- Inflamed, thickened mucosa contrast enhances
- Mucosa, fluid and soft tissue may be indistinguishable without contrast
- Consider IV contrast in complicated cases (e.g. vascular complications, Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis)
- Indications (cases refractory to maximal medical therapy)
- Sinus MRI
- No advantage over Sinus CT except for complicated cases (e.g. neoplasm)
- More False Positive results
- Indications
- Suspected neoplasm
- Orbital or intracranial extension
- Fungal Sinusitis
- Views: T1 Weighted Images with IV gadolinium
- Fluid, air, bone are black
- Fat is white, but black with fat suppression
- Contrast-enhanced mucosa is bright white
- Necrotic tissue will not enhance and will appear as black
- No advantage over Sinus CT except for complicated cases (e.g. neoplasm)
- Bedside Sinus Ultrasound (Maxillary SinusPOCUS)
- Can identify air fluid levels in Maxillary Sinus
- Negative result could drive non-Antibiotic management
- Tierney (2018) South Med J 111(7): 411-7 [PubMed]
XIV. Complications
- Orbital Cellulitis (and Periorbital Cellulitis)
- Meningitis
- Extradural abscess
-
Subdural Empyema
- Subdural Abscess, especially associated with Frontal Sinusitis
- Brain Abscess
- Pott's Puffy Tumor
- Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis
- Fungal Sinusitis
- Sudden fulminant progression has a high mortality (>50%)
- Risk of intracranial spread (hematogenous or from adjacent bony destruction)
- Hospitalization for severe Rhinosinusitis complications
- Adult: 1 in 32,000
- Child: 1 in 12,000
- El Mograbi (2019) Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 128(6): 563-8 [PubMed]
- Hansen (2012) Fam Pract 29(2): 147-53 [PubMed]
XV. Management
- See Acute Sinusitis Management
- Referral Indications
- See Red Flag Symptoms above
XVI. References
- Broder (2018) Crit Dec Emerg Med 32(10): 12-3
- Aring (2011) Am Fam Physician 83(9): 1057-63 [PubMed]
- Aring (2016) Am Fam Physician 94(2): 97-105 [PubMed]
- Butler (2025) Am Fam Physician 111(1): 47-53 [PubMed]
- Chow (2012) Clin Infect Dis 54(8):e72-e112 [PubMed]
- Giebink (1994) Pediatr Infect Dis J 13(suppl 1):S55-8 [PubMed]
- Hadley (1997) Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 117:S8-S11 [PubMed]
- Lanza (1997) Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 117:S1-7 [PubMed]
- Masood (2007) Postgrad Med J 83(980): 402–408 +PMID:17551072 [PubMed]
- Osguthorpe (2001) Am Fam Physician 63:69-76 [PubMed]
- Rosenfeld (2007) Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 137(3 suppl): S1-31 [PubMed]
- Slavin (1991) J Allergy Clin Immunol 88:141-146 [PubMed]
- Williams (1993) JAMA 270:1242-6 [PubMed]
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Related Studies
Concepts | Finding (T033) |
SnomedCT | 162210000, 366967004, 367191001, 4969004 |
LNC | LA15137-5 |
English | SINUS HEADACHE, Headache sinus, headaches sinus, headache sinus, Headache;sinus, sinus headache, Sinus headaches, Sinus headache, Sinus headache (finding) |
Italian | Cefalea sinusale |
Dutch | hoofdpijn sinus, sinus hoofdpijn |
French | Céphalée au cours d'une sinusite, CEPHALEE D'ORIGINE SINUSIENNE, Céphalée d'origine sinusienne |
Portuguese | Cefaleia sinusal, CEFALEIA SINUSITICA, Cefaleia de sinusopatia |
Spanish | Cefalea por sinusitis, SENOS, DOLOR, cefalea sinusal (hallazgo), cefalea sinusal, Cefalea sinusal |
Japanese | 副鼻腔炎に伴う頭痛, フクビクウエンニトモナウズツウ |
German | SINUS KOPFSCHMERZ, Sinuskopfschmerzen |
Czech | Sinusální bolest hlavy |
Hungarian | Sinus fejfájás |
Ontology: Sinusitis (C0037199)
Definition (MSH) | Inflammation of the NASAL MUCOSA in one or more of the PARANASAL SINUSES. |
Definition (MEDLINEPLUS) |
Sinusitis means your sinuses are inflamed. The cause can be an infection or another problem. Your sinuses are hollow air spaces within the bones surrounding the nose. They produce mucus, which drains into the nose. If your nose is swollen, this can block the sinuses and cause pain. There are several types of sinusitis, including
Acute sinusitis often starts as a cold, which then turns into a bacterial infection. Allergies, nasal problems, and certain diseases can also cause acute and chronic sinusitis. Symptoms of sinusitis can include fever, weakness, fatigue, cough, and congestion. There may also be mucus drainage in the back of the throat, called postnasal drip. Your health care professional diagnoses sinusitis based on your symptoms and an examination of your nose and face. You may also need imaging tests. Treatments include antibiotics, decongestants, and pain relievers. Using heat pads on the inflamed area, saline nasal sprays, and vaporizers can also help. NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases |
Definition (MSHCZE) | Zánět vedlejších nosních paranazálních dutin. Je způsobena větš. bakteriální infekcí, která se šíří z nosu a k jejímuž rozvoji přispívá zduření nosní sliznice. Akutní s. se vedle celkových příznaků (zvýšená teplota, únava, malátnost) projevuje bolestí hlavy (pod okem, v čele, v záhlaví – podle postižené dutiny) a hnisavým výtokem z nosu. Bolest sílí při předklonu hlavy a zesiluje i při došlápnutí. K diagnostice se používá rinoskopie, sinusoskopie, rentgenové vyšetření, diafanoskopie, ultrasonografie. Chronická s. vzniká z nevyléčeného zánětu akutního nebo se od počátku vyvíjí plíživě. Má formu hnisavou nebo polypózní. Vzniká častěji při některých současných změnách na horních cestách dýchacích (nosní polypy aj.), vlivem zevního prostředí či snížené odolnosti organismu. Má méně nápadné příznaky, ale svým přetrváváním nepříznivě působí na celý organismus. Komplikace mohou být celkové a místní. Z celkových se uplatňuje všeobecné působení zánětu, u chronických s. jde o jeden z možných zdrojů fokální infekce. Místní komplikace zahrnují jednak vliv na záněty okolních struktur vč. jejich chronicity (rhinitis či pharyngitis chronica). Závažné mohou být komplikace při šíření zánětu do orbity, popř. lebky. Častěji se objevují např. záněty průdušek a průduškové astma – tzv. sinobronchiální syndrom. Léčba s. zahrnuje klid, dostatečné zvlhčování vzduchu, obklady, nosní kapky ke zmírnění zduření sliznice, antibiotika. V těžších případech je nutné provést punkci dutin s jejich výplachem. V případě chronických zánětů se někdy provádějí i chirurgické zákroky v oblasti nosní dutiny (septoplastika, polypektomie, mukotomie aj.). (cit. Velký lékařský slovník online, 2013 http://lekarske.slovniky.cz/ ) |
Definition (NCI) | An acute or chronic inflammatory process affecting the mucous membranes of the paranasal sinuses. |
Definition (NCI_CTCAE) | A disorder characterized by an infectious process involving the mucous membranes of the paranasal sinuses. |
Definition (CSP) | inflammatory process of the mucous membranes of the paranasal sinuses that occurs in three stages: acute, subacute, and chronic; results from any condition causing ostial obstruction or from pathophysiologic changes in the mucociliary transport mechanism. |
Concepts | Disease or Syndrome (T047) |
MSH | D012852 |
ICD10 | J32 |
SnomedCT | 195649005, 275483004, 36971009 |
English | Sinusitides, SINUSITIS, sinusitis (diagnosis), sinusitis, Sinus infection, Sinusitis NOS, Sinusitis [Disease/Finding], sinus infection, Sinusitis, Sinus Infection, Sinusitis (disorder), infected; sinus, infection; sinus, inflammation; nasal sinus, inflammation; sinus, nasal sinus; inflammation, sinus; infected, sinus; infection, sinus; inflammation, Sinusitis, NOS, Unspecified sinusitis |
French | SINUSITE, Sinusite SAI, Infection des sinus, Sinusite |
Portuguese | SINUSITE, Sinusite NE, Infecção dos seios paranasais, Sinusite |
Spanish | SINUSITIS, Sinusitis NEOM, Infección de senos paranasales, sinusitis (trastorno), sinusitis, Sinusitis |
German | SINUSITIS, Sinusitis NNB, Sinusinfektion, Sinusitis, Nasennebenhöhlenentzündung, Nebenhöhlenentzündung |
Dutch | sinusitis NAO, sinusinfectie, geïnfecteerd; sinus, infectie; bijholte, neusbijholte; infectie, neusbijholte; ontsteking, ontsteking; neusbijholte, ontsteking; sinus, sinus; geïnfecteerd, sinus; ontsteking, sinusitis, Sinusitis |
Italian | Sinusite NAS, Infezione sinusale, Sinusite |
Japanese | 副鼻腔炎, 副鼻腔炎NOS, 副鼻腔感染, フクビクウカンセン, フクビクウエン, フクビクウエンNOS |
Swedish | Bihåleinflammation |
Czech | sinusitida, vedlejší nosní dutiny - zánět, zánět paranazálních dutin, zánět vedlejších nosních dutin, Zánět paranazální dutiny, Sinusitida NOS, Sinusitida |
Finnish | Sinuiitti |
Russian | SINUSIT, СИНУСИТ |
Croatian | SINUSITIS |
Polish | Zapalenie zatok przynosowych |
Hungarian | Sinus fertőzés, Sinusitis k.m.n., sinusitis |
Norwegian | Sinusitt, Bihulebetennelse |
Ontology: Acute sinusitis (C0149512)
Concepts | Disease or Syndrome (T047) |
ICD9 | 461.9, 461 |
ICD10 | J01 , J01.9, J01.90 |
SnomedCT | 155501004, 195653007, 266378004, 195649005, 155498004, 15805002 |
English | Acute sinusitis, unspecified, SINUSITIS ACUTE, acute sinusitis (diagnosis), acute sinusitis, Sinusitis acute NOS, acute infection of sinus, acute inflammation of sinus, Sinusitis;acute, sinusitis acute, acute sinus infection, Acute sinusitis NOS (disorder), Sinusitis (& acute), Sinusitis (& acute) (disorder), Acute sinusitis, Acute infection of sinus, Acute inflammation of sinus, Acute inflammation of nasal sinus, Acute sinusitis (disorder), acute; sinusitis, sinusitis; acute, Acute infection of nasal sinus, NOS, Acute inflammation of nasal sinus, NOS, Acute sinusitis, NOS, Acute sinusitis NOS |
Italian | Sinusite acuta, Sinusite acuta NAS, Sinusite acuta, non specificata |
Dutch | sinusitis acuut NAO, acute sinusitis, niet-gespecificeerd, acuut; sinusitis, sinusitis; acuut, Acute sinusitis, niet gespecificeerd, acute sinusitis, Acute sinusitis |
French | Sinusite aiguë, non précisée, Sinusite aiguë SAI, Sinusite aiguë |
German | akute Sinusitis, unspezifisch, Sinusitis akut NNB, Akute Sinusitis, nicht naeher bezeichnet, Akute Sinusitis, akute Sinusitis |
Portuguese | Sinusite aguda NE, Sinusite aguda |
Spanish | Sinusitis aguda no especificada, Sinusitis aguda NEOM, sinusitis aguda, SAI, sinusitis aguda, SAI (trastorno), inflamación aguda de seno paranasal, sinusitis aguda (trastorno), sinusitis aguda, Sinusitis aguda |
Japanese | 急性副鼻腔炎、詳細不明, 急性副鼻腔炎, 急性副鼻腔炎NOS, キュウセイフクビクウエンショウサイフメイ, キュウセイフクビクウエンNOS, キュウセイフクビクウエン |
Czech | Akutní sinusitida, blíže neurčená, Akutní sinusitida, Akutní sinusitida NOS |
Korean | 급성 굴염, 상세불명의 급성 굴염 |
Hungarian | Sinusitis acuta k.m.n., heveny sinusitis, k.m.n., acut sinusitis |
Ontology: Rhinosinusitis (C0948780)
Concepts | Disease or Syndrome (T047) |
SnomedCT | 281971000009108 |
Dutch | rhinosinusitis |
French | Rhinosinusite |
German | Rhinosinusitis |
Italian | Rinosinusite |
Portuguese | Rinossinusite |
Spanish | Rinosinusitis |
Japanese | 副鼻腔炎, フクビクウエン |
English | rhinosinusitis (diagnosis), rhinosinusitis, Rhinosinusitis, Rhinosinusitis (disorder) |
Czech | Rinosinusitida |
Hungarian | Rhinosinusitis |
Ontology: Acute rhinosinusitis (C2317131)
Concepts | Disease or Syndrome (T047) |
SnomedCT | 431231008 |
English | Acute rhinosinusitis, Acute rhinosinusitis (disorder), rhinosinusitis acute, Acute rhinosinusitis (diagnosis) |
Spanish | rinosinusitis aguda (trastorno), rinosinusitis aguda |