title: Serious complications of acute sinusitis.
abstract: Acute sinusitis is common and usually the result of edema around the sinus ostia from the common cold. Chronic sinusitis and recurrent sinusitis are common complications of untreated or undertreated infection. Serious and life-threatening complications are uncommon but demand a high index of suspicion, accurate diagnosis, and rapid intervention by medical and surgical methods. Immediate parenteral administration of antibiotics may be necessary to prevent permanent disabilities or death, and early consultation with an otolaryngologist or neurosurgeon is prudent. Computed tomography is the imaging method of choice for detection of serious intracranial complications of acute sinusitis. Increasing numbers of immunocompromised patients and seriously ill hospitalized patients with problems related to complications of acute sinusitis are being seen.
authors.affiliation: Department of family medicine, University of North Dakota School of Medicine, Fargo.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Haugen
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Ramlo
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy