Frontitis, or frontal sinusitis, is an inflammation of the frontal sinuses. According to statistics, over the past decade, this type of pathology is considered one of the most common in the world. Currently, more than ten percent of the population suffers from sinusitis, with about one percent of people suffering from pathology of the frontal sinuses.
Anatomical structure of the frontal sinuses
The following sinuses are adjacent to the nasal passage:
- wedge-shaped;
- frontal;
- trellised;
- maxillary.
These cavities look like small voids located in the skeleton of the skull and opening in the nasal passages. In the normal state, the sinuses are empty, they have no contents other than air. The cavities themselves perform a number of specific functions:
- warm and moisturize the air;
- perform a protective role in injuries;
- perform the function of a voice resonator;
- protect eyes, teeth from temperature changes.
Two frontal sinuses are located in the frontal lobe. In shape, they resemble a pyramid located base down. In the center, it is divided into two parts by a bone septum.
The frontal sinuses have four walls: anterior, posterior, septum, or internal, lower. Sinus sizes in people are different. On average, it is four centimeters long. For some people, this sinus is completely absent. Typically, such an anomaly occurs due to heredity.
Inside the frontal sinuses are lined with mucous membranes. 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 a frontal sinusitis. It can have different causes that determine the severity of the disease, its form.
Infection
In more than half of cases of frontal sinus, the frontal sinuses become inflamed due to an infection that penetrates the cavity through the tubules. The inflammatory process can occur in several sinuses at once, for example, the maxillary sinus and frontal sinus can be affected. The cause of inflammation can be ARVI, diphtheria, tonsillitis and other infections.
Most often, pathogens of inflammation are:
- rhinoviruses;
- adenoviruses;
- coronaviruses;
- different types of bacteria;
- fungi.
Allergy
Inflammation of the frontal sinuses, swelling of the mucosa can occur as a complication of an allergic reaction. This can be observed with bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis. With edema, an overlap of the canal occurs 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 mucosa may occur, breathing is difficult, the outflow from the cavities is blocked.
Injuries
The maxillary sinus and frontal can become inflamed due to injuries. Even minor tissue bruises can cause serious circulatory disorders in the mucous membrane and sinuses.
Anomalies of the nasal septum
When the nasal septum is bent, sinus inflammation can occur. Such an anomaly of the structure can be congenital or acquired as a result of injuries suffered by pathologies. Curvature of the septum can interfere with the free outflow of contents from the sinuses, which helps to create favorable conditions for the reproduction of microbes.
Foreign bodies
Sometimes there are situations when a foreign body enters the nasal passages. As a result, inflammation occurs, which 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 doctor can make a preliminary diagnosis.
Acute form
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 intensify with pressure on the front wall of the sinus. You can verify this by pushing yourself on the zone above the bridge of the nose. With increased pain, frontitis can be assumed. Also, with pathology, the following symptoms occur:
- Pain in the eyes;
- photophobia appears;
- copious discharge from the nose;
- sometimes there is a change in skin color above the eye;
- symptoms of general intoxication are observed;
- body temperature rises to 39.
During the examination, ENT can detect swelling, hyperemia of the nasal mucosa.
During acute frontal sinusitis, with a violation of the outflow of mucus from the sinuses, the pain syndrome intensifies. However, as soon as the lumen of the tubule increases and the contents may exit, the pain subsides. Stagnation periods are usually observed in the morning. At this time, pain can radiate into the eyes and temples.
Chronic form
If an acute form of pathology is not treated, then it becomes chronic. This can also happen due to improperly selected treatment.
Clinically, chronic inflammation of the frontal sinus occurs with the following symptoms:
- pressing pain in the frontal cavity, which intensifies when tapped;
- profuse purulent discharge is observed from the nose;
- in the morning hours there is abundant purulent sputum.
All these symptoms are less pronounced. Because of this, many believe that the disease has receded. In fact, she switched from acute to chronic. If you do not cure it, then the disease can cause serious complications.
Diagnostics
In order for the doctor to prescribe the correct treatment, it is necessary to conduct a diagnosis. It includes:
- History taking. The doctor collects complaints, clarifies the clinical manifestations, determines the cause of the ailment.
- Rhinoscopy During the examination, the ENT assesses the condition of the nasal mucosa, determines whether the contents can leave the sinus and where exactly it expires.
- Ultrasound of the sinuses.
- Endoscopic examination. During the examination, the doctor determines the condition of the nasal mucosa and sinuses, looks at the structure of the cavities.
- Fluoroscopy. This method is used most often. Using X-ray diagnostics, the doctor determines the shape and condition of the frontal sinuses, sees inflammation, swelling, determines the nature of the contents.
A bacteriological study of the contents of the nose is necessarily prescribed to clarify the cause of the inflammation. Only after the diagnostic results can a specialist choose a treatment plan for frontal sinuses.
Treatment
The method of treatment is determined by the form of the disease. With a mild illness, the doctor selects a conservative treatment using several types of drugs. To reduce swelling, the nasal passages are irrigated with adrenaline-based drugs. Inside, the following medications are prescribed:
- Antibiotics. ENT selects a wide spectrum of drugs. As soon as the cause of the disease is determined, antibiotics are selected with a narrow focus.
- Analgesics. They help reduce pain.
- Allergy drugs that help alleviate the condition of the patient.
- Physiotherapy.
The doctor may recommend rinsing the nose with various folk remedies.
With the right treatment, the pain subsides on the third day, breathing improves, and body temperature normalizes. You can not self-medicate, because the contents of the frontitis can cause serious complications, up to meningitis.