Causes, symptoms, signs, complications and treatment of sinusitis in childrenSinus infection or sinusitis is an infection of the paranasal sinuses which occasionally follows an upper respiratory infection. It can be acute, recurrent or chronic. It can be caused by viruses or bacteria. That caused by bacteria is more severe. The term acute sinus infection is used when the symptoms completely subside within one month. Recurrent sinus infection refers to frequent attacks with completely asymptomatic period in between attacks. The term chronic sinus infection is used when the symptoms do not completely subside. The sinuses most commonly involved are the maxillary and ethmoid sinuses which are present at birth. The sphenoid sinuses appear by about 5 years and the frontal sinuses by about 8 years. Acute respiratory infection due to viruses which is so common in children causes swelling of the inner lining of respiratory tract (mucus membrane) which leads to obstruction of the opening of the sinuses. Normal ciliary activity is also impaired during respiratory infection. Bacteria get trapped inside the sinuses leading to infection. Symptoms and signs: The onset may be abrupt or gradual. Following an attack of cold with or without cough the nasal discharge persists and cough usually does not subside within 10 days as in simple upper respiratory infection. Other associated features are fever and bad odor of breath (halitosis). Older children may complain of headache or a sense of heaviness of face. There may be pain over the affected sinus. Tenderness may be elicited over the involved sinus. There is no need for routine X-Ray or CT scan to diagnose sinusitis. CT scan may be required if any complication is suspected. Aspiration of the sinus fluid by an ENT surgeon may be required if there is no prompt response to treatment. The fluid may be cultured to choose an appropriate drug. Complications are not common if promptly treated. Ethmoidal sinusitis is more likely to cause complications than infection of other sinuses. Extension of the infection can lead to bone infection and even collection of pus inside bones. Involvement of veins can lead to clotting of blood inside the veins. This can cause swelling of eyes, protrusion of eye ball decreased eye movements with severe pain. Frontal sinusitis can lead to infection or the frontal bone. The infection can extend into the skull cavity causing meningitis and collection of pus under the meninges or the brain. Maxillary sinus infection can lead to cellulitis (diffuse inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue) of the check. Rarely the maxillary bone can get infected.
Page last reviewed on 7th February 2010
|
