Frontitis, or frontal sinusitis, is an inflammation of the frontal sinuses. According to statistics, over the past decade, this type of pathology has been considered one of the most common in the world. Currently, more than ten percent of the population suffers from sinusitis, and about one percent of people suffer from the pathology of the frontal sinuses.
Anatomical structure of the frontal sinuses
The following sinuses adjoin the nasal passage:
- wedge;
- frontal;
- lattice;
- maxillary.
These cavities look like small voids located in the skeleton of the skull and opening into the nasal passages. In the normal state, the sinuses are empty, they have no content other than air. The cavities themselves perform a number of specific functions:
- warm and humidify the air;
- play a protective role in case of injury;
- perform the function of a voice resonator;
- protect eyes, teeth from temperature extremes.
In the frontal lobethere are two frontal sinuses. In shape, they resemble a pyramid, located base down. In the center, it is divided into two parts by a bony septum.
The frontal sinuses have four walls: anterior, posterior, septum or internal, inferior. The size of the sinus varies from person to person. On average, it is four centimeters long. Some people don't have this sinus at all. Usually such an anomaly occurs due to heredity.
From the inside, the frontal sinuses are lined with a mucous membrane. It is a continuation of the nasal mucosa, but thinner and without cavernous tissue. The sinus itself is connected to the nasal cavity by a narrow channel open in front of the nasal passage.
Causes of inflammation
With inflammation of the mucous membrane, a pathology occurs, called frontal sinusitis. It can have different causes, which determine the severity of the course of the disease, its form.
Infection
In more than half of cases of frontal sinusitis, the frontal sinuses become inflamed due to an infection that enters the cavity through the tubules. The inflammatory process can occur in several sinuses at once, for example, the maxillary sinus and frontal can be affected. The cause of inflammation can be SARS, diphtheria, tonsillitis and other infections.
The most common causative agents of inflammation are:
- rhinoviruses;
- adenoviruses;
- coronaviruses;
- different types of bacteria;
- fungi.
Allergy
Inflammation of the frontal sinuses, mucosal edema may occur as a complicationwith an allergic reaction. This can be observed in bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis. With edema, there is an overlap of the channel through which the contents of the frontal sinus exit.
Polyps
Polyps can occur in the nose. These are benign formations that have a round shape. Polyps are formed as a result of degeneration of the mucous membrane. During this process, swelling of the mucous membrane may occur, breathing becomes difficult, the outflow from the cavities is blocked.
Injuries
The maxillary sinus and frontal sinus can become inflamed due to injuries. Even small tissue bruises can cause serious circulatory disorders in the mucosa and sinuses.
Anomalies of the nasal septum
When the nasal septum is deviated, inflammation of the sinuses may occur. Such an anomaly of the structure can be congenital or acquired as a result of injuries, pathologies. A deviated septum can interfere with the free flow of sinus contents, creating a favorable environment for microbial growth.
Foreign bodies
Sometimes there are situations when a foreign body gets into the nasal passages. The result is inflammation that spreads to the nasal cavity and adjacent sinuses.
Clinical manifestations
Inflammation of the frontal sinuses is a very serious disease that is much more serious than other ailments. By its nature, it can be divided into two forms: chronic and acute. Each of them has special clinical symptoms, according to which the doctorcan make a preliminary diagnosis.
Sharp shape
The structure of the frontal sinuses characterizes the symptoms of the disease. So, with frontal sinusitis, there is a sharp pain in the forehead, which can be aggravated by pressure on the front wall of the sinus. You can check this by pressing yourself on the area above the bridge of the nose. With increased pain, frontal sinusitis can be assumed. Also, with pathology, the following symptoms occur:
- eye pain;
- photophobia appears;
- profuse nasal discharge;
- sometimes there is a discoloration of the skin above the eye;
- there are symptoms of general intoxication;
- body temperature rises to 39.
During the examination, the ENT may detect swelling, hyperemia of the nasal mucosa.
During acute frontal sinusitis, if the outflow of mucus from the sinuses is disturbed, the pain syndrome intensifies. However, as soon as the lumen of the tubule increases and the contents can come out, the pain subsides. Periods of stagnation are usually observed in the morning hours. At this time, the pain may radiate to the eyes, temples.
Chronic form
If the acute form of pathology is not treated, it becomes chronic. This can also happen due to the wrong treatment.
Clinically chronic inflammation of the frontal sinus occurs with the following symptoms:
- pressive pain in the frontal cavity, which is aggravated by tapping;
- excessive purulent discharge from the nose;
- in the morning there is abundantpurulent sputum.
All these symptoms are less pronounced. Because of this, many believe that the disease has receded. In fact, it has gone from acute to chronic. If left untreated, the disease can cause serious complications.
Diagnosis
In order for the doctor to prescribe the correct treatment, it is necessary to conduct a diagnosis. It includes:
- Collecting an anamnesis. The doctor collects complaints, clarifies clinical manifestations, determines the cause of the disease.
- Rhinoscopy. During the examination, the ENT evaluates the condition of the nasal mucosa, determines whether the contents can leave the sinus and where exactly it expires.
- Sinus ultrasound.
- Endoscopic examination. During the examination, the doctor determines the condition of the nasal mucosa and sinuses, looks at the structure of the cavities.
- Radioscopy. This method is used most often. With the help of X-ray diagnostics, the doctor determines the shape and condition of the frontal sinuses, sees inflammation, swelling, and determines the nature of the content.
Bacteriological examination of the contents of the nose is mandatory to clarify the cause that led to inflammation. Only after the results of the diagnosis, the specialist can choose a treatment regimen for the frontal sinuses.
Treatment
The method of treatment is determined by the form of the disease. With a mild course of the disease, the doctor selects conservative treatment using several types of drugs. To reduce swelling, the nasal passages are irrigated with drugs based on adrenaline. Inside appoint the followingmedicines:
- Antibiotics. ENT selects broad-spectrum drugs. As soon as the cause of the disease is determined, antibiotics are selected for a narrowly targeted action.
- Analgesics. They help reduce pain.
- Allergy medicines that help relieve the patient's condition.
- Physiotherapy.
The doctor may recommend washing the nose with various folk remedies.
With the right treatment, pain subsides on the third day, breathing improves, body temperature normalizes. You can not self-medicate, because the contents of the frontal can cause serious complications, up to meningitis.
