Maxillary sinusitis in the surgical intensive care unit: a study using bedside sinus ultrasound.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigates the incidence of acute maxillary sinusitis (AMS) in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU).


METHODS
One hundred consecutive patients admitted to the SICU were examined in a prospective observational mode. Bedside sinus ultrasound (SUS) was performed on admission and every 48 hours. Patients with sinus fluid by SUS and unexplained sepsis underwent confirmatory sinus aspiration.


RESULTS
The development of fluid in the maxillary sinus was identified in 15 patients by SUS. Acute maxillary sinus occurred in only 1 (1%).


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows SUS to be a simple, efficient method for determining the presence of maxillary sinus fluid in the SICU. Acute maxillary sinus was an unusual finding. Our policy of avoidance of nasal instrumentation may have contributed to the low incidence of AMS in this high-risk patient population.
Kaups
K L
KL
Department of Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, USA.
Cohn
S M
SM
Nageris
B
B
Lavelle
W G
WG
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003422:Critical Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015523:Maxillary Sinusitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography