What are the symptoms of frontal sinusitis

Common symptoms of frontal sinusitis may include mucosal congestion, purulent secretions above the middle nasal passage, or abnormal symptoms such as headache. Of course, the most important thing is to recommend patients to go to the hospital for examination to identify the cause and solve the problem accordingly.

(i) Anterior rhinoscopy shows congestion of the mucosa and purulent secretions in the upper anterior part of the middle nasal meatus. The pus of maxillary sinusitis is mostly in the posterior and inferior part of the middle nasal meatus. In ethmoid sinusitis, purulent secretions can be seen in the middle nasal meatus and olfactory fissure, which can be used for differentiation.

(ii) When no purulent secretions are found during nasal endoscopy before the head position test , 1% ephedrine can be used to shrink the middle turbinate and middle nasal meatus mucosa. Then keep the head in the neutral position for 5 minutes and examine the nasal cavity again to see if there is any pus in the middle nasal meatus. When accompanied by maxillary sinusitis, the maxillary sinus can be punctured and flushed first to remove the pus, and then cephalad drainage can be performed to determine the presence of frontal sinusitis.

(III) Frontal sinus X-rays are taken in nasofrontal and lateral positions to compare the translucency of the bilateral frontal sinuses and determine the lesions therein. Bilateral asymmetry in the size of the frontal sinuses is normal and has nothing to do with the diagnosis of frontal sinusitis. A well-developed frontal sinus may have bone septa, which is also normal.

(iv) CT scans use coronal and axial scans to show the size and extent of the frontal sinus, the condition of the anterior and posterior bone walls, and the absence of thickening of the mucosa within the sinus cavity.

(V) Symptoms of frontal sinusitis headache: initially a general headache, which then gradually becomes localized to the upper inner corner of the eye socket and forehead on the affected side. The pain has an obvious time pattern, occurring every morning after waking up, gradually getting worse, being worst at noon, gradually easing in the afternoon, and disappearing in the evening, only to recur the next day. There is obvious tenderness when touching the upper inner corner of the orbit.