Sinusitis is the inflammation of mucous membranes of the paranasal sinuses, the bone cavities located in the skull near the nose. The frontal
sinuses are located above the orbits of the eyes, the
maxillary sinuses are in the cheekbones, and the ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses are behind the nose. These sinuses drain mucus into the nose through small channels, and their mucous membranes are continuous from those lining the nasal cavity. The
proximity of the paranasal sinuses to the brain makes
Sinus infections potentially dangerous.
Inflammation of the sinuses may develop from an allergy or from bacteria introduced through the nasal channels, causing an infection accompanied by pain and tenderness. Chronic
Sinusitis may result from either form or a combination of both. Maxillary sinusitis can be caused by a cold or from swimming in contaminated water. Rarely, extraction of a molar tooth will break the floor of the maxillary sinus, leaving an opening for bacteria to enter and cause infection. Frontal and ethmoid sinusitis share symptoms of localized headache, surface tenderness, and, occasionally, swelling of the eyelids. Sphenoid sinusitis can cause blurred vision because of the proximity of this sinus to the
optic nerves.
One or several sinuses can be infected at the same time: treatment is usually with antibiotics. For chronic sinusitis patients, surgery can ease drainage and relieve pressure when the narrow
channels into the nasal cavity have been swollen shut. A new fiber-optic technique may make this major surgery available on an out-patient basis.
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