title: Acute sphenoid sinusitis: management strategies.
abstract: Acute sphenoid sinusitis is an uncommon disease with a significant morbidity. This paper reviews 14 patients presenting with acute sphenoid sinusitis between 1978 and 1987. Fifty-seven percent of patients had signs of neurological or ophthalmological complications, and 29% were left with permanent disabilities. Delay in diagnosis and treatment resulted in a morbidity of 80%. The organism most commonly cultured was Staphylococcus aureus, followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Haemophilus influenza, and other streptococci. While a trial of medical therapy for 24 hours is warranted in uncomplicated cases, we recommend surgical drainage of the sinus if medical therapy fails, and for all patients with complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Vancouver General Hospital, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Kibblewhite
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cleland
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Mintz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D013101:Sphenoid Sinus; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents