From the Guidelines
Sinus obstruction is a blockage of the paranasal sinuses, often caused by inflammation, infection, or anatomical abnormalities.
Causes of Sinus Obstruction
- Infection, such as acute or chronic sinusitis, is a common cause of sinus obstruction, as it leads to inflammation and swelling of the nasal mucosa and sinuses 1.
- Anatomical abnormalities, like nasal polyps, can also contribute to sinus obstruction by blocking the sinus ostia, which are the small openings that connect the sinuses to the nasal cavity 1.
- Other factors, such as allergies, can also play a role in sinus obstruction by causing inflammation and swelling of the nasal mucosa.
Classification of Sinusitis
- Sinusitis can be classified into different types, including:
- Acute sinusitis: symptoms for less than 4 weeks
- Subacute sinusitis: symptoms from 4 to 8 weeks
- Chronic sinusitis: symptoms for 8 weeks or longer
- Recurrent sinusitis: 3 or more episodes of acute sinusitis per year 1
Symptoms of Sinus Obstruction
- Symptoms of sinus obstruction can include nasal congestion, purulent rhinorrhea, postnasal drainage, facial pain, headache, and cough, which are often more severe at night 1.
- Other symptoms, such as fever, nausea, malaise, irritability, fatigue, halitosis, hyposmia, and sore throat, can also occur, although they are less frequent 1.
From the Research
Definition of Sinus Obstruction
Sinus obstruction refers to the blockage of the nasal passages or sinuses, which can be caused by various factors, including anatomic, physiologic, and pathophysiologic factors 2. This obstruction can lead to a range of symptoms, including nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, and facial pain.
Causes of Sinus Obstruction
The causes of sinus obstruction can be categorized into several groups, including:
- Anatomic causes, such as internal nasal valve stenosis/collapse, septal deviation, and turbinate hypertrophy 2
- Physiologic causes, such as sinonasal inflammatory disorders and iatrogenic causes 2
- Drug-induced causes, where certain medications can cause nasal obstruction as a side effect 3
- Inflammatory diseases of the sinuses, which can cause obstruction within the sinuses 4
Types of Sinus Obstruction
There are different types of sinus obstruction, including:
- Obstructive inflammatory patterns of the sinonasal region, which can be grouped into five distinct radiological patterns 5
- Silent sinus syndrome, a rare condition that typically affects the maxillary sinus, but can also affect the frontal sinus, causing blockage of the sinus ostium and persistent hypoventilation 6
Key Factors Contributing to Sinus Obstruction
Key factors that contribute to sinus obstruction include: