The air-filled spaces located around the nose and connected to the nasal cavity are called sinuses. The inside of the sinuses is also covered with nasal mucosa and empties its secretion into the nasal cavity. Inflammation of the sinuses is called sinusitis and is almost always accompanied by rhinitis.
The duration of sinusitis complaints is important in terms of the disorders it creates and therefore the treatment to be applied. The disease is examined under two headings as acute and chronic sinusitis (complaints last more than 3 months).
Acute sinusitis is mostly caused by microbial contamination (viral or bacterial infections). Acute sinusitis may also occur due to the irritation of the nasal mucosa by smoking and chemicals. However, an underlying secondary cause should be sought in patients with frequent recurrent sinusitis attacks. Some of those:
- allergic rhinitis
- Structural disorders in the nose (bone curvature, nasal concha enlargement)
- Enlarged adenoids (by preventing the discharge of nasal secretions and creating a shelter for microbes) are the cause of recurrent sinusitis, especially in children.
- Untreated tooth and gum infections
- Cigarettes and cigarette smoke,
- Immune system deficiency,
Acute sinusitis often tends to resolve spontaneously if there is no underlying secondary cause. Although nasal washing (link) is the most important part of the treatment, in some cases it may be necessary to add medication.
In chronic sinusitis, permanent disorders have occurred in the nasal mucosa and sinus mouths. As a result, sinus and nasal structures cannot function normally. There is a persistent inflammatory condition with intermittent exacerbations. In these patients, an endoscopic examination and imaging methods such as CT are necessary to reveal the problem. According to the results of this evaluation, it is decided how the disease will be treated. The aim of treatment should be to restore the impaired nasal and sinus functions to normal. For this purpose, drug therapy or surgical treatment (Endoscopic sinus surgery, Functional endoscopic sinus surgery, minimally invasive endoscopic sinus surgery) may be required.
Sinus openings that sometimes occur after tooth extractions are also one of the important causes of chronic sinusitis. The probability of self-closing is small. Surgical closure is required. (“Endoscopic Repair of Persistent Oroantral communications Using the Caldwell-Luc Approach” ) link
It should be noted that persistent infections, such as chronic sinusitis, place a heavy burden on the human body. Having a constant source of infection and inflammation to fight against reduces the person’s physical and mental performance. In addition, the infection can spread to other parts of the body, creating new infections, especially the lungs. Complications that can lead to death may develop due to the spread of the infection to neighboring organs such as the eye and brain.
