SINUSITIS

Sinusitis is inflamation of nasal sinuses,the air cavities within the head.

Symptoms

• Nasal discharge, usually unilateral, becoming purulent or bloody
• Halitosis
• Facial deformity with a pushed-out appearance over sinus area
• Discharge from eyes
• Difficulty chewing food
• Labored breathing
• Shaking of head
• Exercise intolerance

Causes

The cause of sinusitis is usually an infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract. Dental disease, cysts, tumors, and trauma to the head and respiratory system also can lead to infection affecting the sinus cavities and causing sinusitis. 

In some cases, fungal infections that spread into the head and neck areas result in sinusitis. 

Treatment

Treatment of primary sinusitis involves lavage of the sinus cavity and systemic antimicrobial therapy based on culture and sensitivity results. 

The infected sinus is usually trephined,a process of removing a small circular disk of bone from the area of sinus,leaving an opening into the cavity.

The pus in the cavity aspirated and any dead membrane or bone removed.The cotton plug is removed daily and flushed with warm saline solution and antibiotics.

Trephination is not required when the infection is cleared with systemic antibiotics.

Posted by equinevet