Ogden Clinic | Specialties

Questions and Answers: Sinusitis

What are sinuses?

Sinus are cavities that exist within the face whose function is not clearly known. Some people believe that sinuses lighten the weight of the skull while others feel that sinuses protect the brain against trauma by providing a cushion. Regardless of their exact function sinuses are active structures. By sweeping mucus from the sinus cavity to the back of the nose they serve cleansing function to remove particles that had been inhaled.

Why do sinuses get infected?

Sinuses become infected when their drainage tracts become obstructed most commonly due to swelling. A variety of causes can swell the drainage tracks closed including colds and allergies. Once sinuses are infected they often need to be treated with antibiotics and decongestants to facilitate drainage. If the drainage does not occur sinuses continue to cause problems. Symptoms of a sinus infection may include pressure, drainage down the back of the throat, headaches, and low grade fever.

When do I need antibiotics for my sinus infection?

Often times after a cold it takes several weeks to completely reventilate the sinuses. During this time it may not be necessary to receive antibiotics. Once sinus tenderness occurs or the nature of the mucus becomes discolored (yellow/green) antibiotics are needed. For patients who have not had a history of sinus infections, one week of antibiotics will be used. For those who have repeat sinus infections antibiotics of longer duration, three weeks, should be given.

When do I need to see a specialist for my sinusitis?

It is necessary to have a specialist evaluate your sinuses when several courses of antibiotics have failed. Also if the symptoms are of a severe nature, a specialist should be contacted. Often times a CT scan, a type of x-ray of the sinuses, will be ordered to determine if the sinus infection is occurring and if the sinuses need to be drained. Also, a specialist can determine if an allergy workup needs to be performed to prevent recurring sinusitis.

What does sinus surgery entail?

Nowadays sinus surgery is performed through endoscopes which have greatly facilitated recovery. In the past sinus surgery involved making an incision under the lip and removing the sinus lining and a portion of bone. Newer techniques are much less invasive using endoscopes to open the natural sinus drainage tracts. By opening the natural tracts, scarring is minimized the natural function of the sinus is preserved. It is important to avoid taking aspirin products within two weeks prior to sinus surgery as this can increase the risk of bleeding.

What can I expect in terms of recovery?

The surgery lasts between one-hour to two hours and is usually performed as a same-day procedure where the patient goes home. After sinus surgery it is common to feel pressure and a slight discomfort although pain is unusual. Bleeding can occur within the first 72 hours and this can often be managed by spraying nasal decongestants into the side that is bleeding. Usually small nasal packs are placed next to the sinus drainage tracts and these are removed within one week. The patient will need to irrigate the nose with saline spray (easily obtained at any pharmacy) several times a day for several weeks.

Is sinus surgery safe?

Newer techniques have greatly improved the safety of sinus surgery. Major complications that occur with sinus surgery occur less than one percent of the time. More common complications include bleeding, re-infections, and scarring postoperatively. The CT scan that was obtained during the workup serves as an anatomical roadmap during sinus surgery. Studies reveal that sinus surgery is extremely effective at reducing symptoms of chronic sinusitis within over 90 percent success rate.