ENTPending review

Acute rhinosinusitis

Inflammation of the nasal mucosa and paranasal sinuses that follows blockage of their narrow drainage pathways, almost always viral and self-limiting, with antibiotics reserved for the minority who develop true bacterial superinfection or complications.

In a nutshell

Viral inflammation blocks the narrow sinus drainage ostia, trapping mucus and causing facial pressure and congestion. Most cases are viral and self-limiting; a minority develop bacterial superinfection, and because the sinuses sit next to the orbit and brain, uncontained infection can spread to cause sight- or life-threatening complications.

Classic presentation

Facial pain or pressure and purulent nasal discharge following a cold, worse on bending forward, settling over two to three weeks.

Key points

Blocked sinus ostia trap mucus and impair ciliary clearance, which is the mechanism behind facial pain, pressure and congestion.

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Educational content pending clinical review. Not medical advice.