Thickening of ethmoid sinus mucosa

Our human body has a brain that is the most advanced species in the world and even in the entire body. Because the human brain is a very deep mystery. Even to this day, many scientists are still unable to figure out why some of the brain's functions occur. What is the reason? The brain is a magical place. And because of the brain, it is magical, so let us now understand what the thickening of the ethmoid sinus mucosa is.

1. Causes

1. Sinus infection

The sinus openings are relatively small. Once narrowing or obstruction occurs, the ventilation and drainage of the sinus cavity will be affected and it will be easy to accumulate pus or develop into chronic inflammation. Moreover, the sinus openings and sinus walls of each sinus are close to each other, so inflammation of one sinus can easily affect the adjacent sinuses, especially inflammation of the maxillary sinus can easily lead to ethmoid sinusitis.

2. Nasal infection

(1) Acute rhinitis: It is a common cause of sinusitis, probably because the continuity of the mucous membranes of the two facilitates the invasion of inflammation into the sinuses.

(2) Other nasal diseases: deviated nasal septum, hypertrophic nasal conchae, thickened mucosa, tumors and foreign bodies in the nasal cavity, and nasal allergies can all block the sinus openings, causing obstruction of sinus ventilation and drainage and inflammation.

(3) Pollutants enter the sinuses through the nasal cavity: improper swimming, diving, or snorkeling techniques, or blowing one’s nose forcefully after swimming, can cause sewage to enter the sinuses and cause inflammation. This type of infection is mostly caused by anaerobic bacteria, and the clinical symptoms are generally severe.

(4) The nasal packing is left in the nasal cavity for too long; local irritation and contamination, as well as obstruction of ventilation and drainage of the sinus opening lead to inflammation.

3. Adjacent tissue infection

4. Blood-borne infection

5. Traumatic infection

Trauma such as fractures, foreign bodies and blood clot infection.

6. Systemic factors

Such as decreased immune function, diabetes, malnutrition, vitamin deficiency, etc.

2. Clinical manifestations

1. Systemic symptoms

Symptoms may include loss of appetite, irritability, chills and fever, constipation, insomnia, and mental depression.

2. Local symptoms

(1) Nasal symptoms: Nasal congestion: Persistent nasal congestion on the affected side may be caused by swelling of the nasal mucosa or accumulation of nasal secretions in the nasal cavity; Runny nose: Nasal secretions are mucopurulent or purulent. In the case of anterior ethmoid sinus inflammation, the secretions are mostly blown out from the front, while in the case of posterior ethmoid sinus inflammation, the secretions are mostly inhaled into the pharynx and then spit out; Decreased sense of smell, especially in the case of ethmoid and sphenoid sinus inflammation. The patient's nasal discharge is mixed with blood or he or she feels that the nasal discharge has a fishy odor.

(2) Headache: Headache is generally mild, but it can take many forms. Sometimes it is swelling or slight pain in the inner canthus of the eye or deep in the root of the nose; sometimes it is a headache in the forehead. It often occurs periodically, especially in the anterior ethmoid sinusitis, which is similar to acute frontal sinusitis, but the degree is milder. Sometimes there is an occipital headache, similar to sphenoid sinusitis, which is mostly posterior ethmoid sinusitis. Sometimes there is pain behind the eyeball, which is aggravated by moving the eyeball or pressing the eyeball with fingers; sometimes the headache is limited to the temporal area. It is usually heavier in the morning and lighter in the afternoon.

3. Inspection

1. Local redness and swelling

It often occurs in children, with redness and swelling at the inner canthus.

2. Tenderness and clasping pain

Pressing or tapping the affected sinus wall can cause severe local pain.

3. Anterior rhinoscopy

Mucosal congestion can be seen, and the middle nail and ethmoid bulla are often swollen and congested. In all cases of ethmoid sinusitis, purulent secretions were found in the middle nasal meatus and olfactory fissure.

4. Frontal sinus X-ray

Take nasofrontal and lateral views, compare the bilateral light transmittance, and determine the lesions.

5. CT scan

Coronal and axial scans can show the ethmoid sinus and its range as well as the pus in the sinus cavity.