Rhinosinusitis

Question 1

What is rhinosinusitis?

Answer 1

Rhinosinusitis is a simultaneous infection of the nasal mucosa (rhinitis) and an infection of the mucosa of the paranasal sinuses (sinusitis).

A distinction is made between acute rhinosinusitis and chronic rhinosinusitis.

Question 2

How would you manage rhinosinusitis?

Answer 2

Inhalation therapy mechanically removes deposits and relieves the symptoms of allergic or inflammatory diseases like acute or chronic rhinosinusitis

In essence, inhalation therapy resolves the obstruction found to be bothersome, alleviates the irritation of the nasal mucosa and supports the self-cleaning mechanisms

Question 3

What is rhinitis?

Answer 3

Inflammation of the mucous membrane inside the nose

Question 4

What are the symptoms of rhinitis?

Answer 4

Stuffy nose, runny nose, sneezing, and post-nasal drip

Question 5

What causes rhinitis?

Answer 5

Often allergies, such as pollen and dander

Inflammation can also be caused by viruses and bacteria

Question 6

In allergic rhinitis, what additional symptoms may be present?

Answer 6

Itching, coughing, fatigue, malaise, itchy and puffy eyes, mucus

Question 7

What causes allergic rhinitis?

Answer 7

Inflammation is caused by the degranulation of mast cells in the nose. When mast cells degranulate, they release histamine and other chemicals, starting an inflammatory process that can cause symptoms outside the nose, such as fatigue and malaise

Question 8

What pathological changes occur in rhinitis?

Answer 8

Most prominent pathological changes observed are nasal airway epithelial metaplasia in which goblet cells replace ciliated columnar epithelial cells in the nasal mucous membrane –> hyper secretion of mucus

Question 9

How would you manage rhinitis?

Answer 9

Only manage allergic rhinitis:

1. intranasal corticosteroids are recommended.
2. For severe symptoms intranasal antihistamines may be added

Question 10

What is sinusitis?

Answer 10

Inflammation of the mucous membranes that line the sinuses

Question 11

What are the signs and symptoms of sinusitis?

Answer 11

Thick nasal mucus, a plugged nose, and facial pain

Other signs and symptoms may include fever, headaches, a poor sense of smell, sore throat, and a cough

Question 12

How long does sinusitis last for?

Answer 12

It is defined as acute sinusitis if it lasts less than 4 weeks, and as chronic sinusitis if it lasts for more than 12 weeks

Question 13

What causes sinusitis?

Answer 13

Main cause: bacterial and viral infections

Other causes: allergies, air pollution, structural nose problem

Question 14

What are risk factors for sinusitis?

Answer 14

Asthma, cystic fibrosis, poor immune function

Question 15

What would you do if sinusitis lasts for more than 12 weeks?

Answer 15

CT scan

Histology and tissue culture e

Question 16

What are the different sinuses?

Answer 16

The ethmoidal sinuses are located between your eyes.
The maxillary sinuses are located below your eyes.
The sphenoidal sinuses are located behind your eyes.
The frontal sinuses are located above your eyes.

Question 17

How would you manage sinusitis?

Answer 17

For simple infections: time, liquids, nasal spray and OTC medications

For complicated infections: antibiotics, corticosteroid nasal spray

Question 18

What type of viruses are likely to cause sinusitis?

Answer 18

Rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, influenza

Question 19

What bacteria are likely to cause sinusitis?

Answer 19

S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis