What can be dangerous acute ethmoiditis: complications of the disease

Inflammatory processes of the paranasal sinuses are a fairly common occurrence. Acute ethmoiditis – an acute inflammatory process of the mucous membrane of the cells of the ethmoid labyrinth, inferior in frequency of occurrence only to acute sinusitis, and in the absence of adequate therapy can lead to the development of serious complications. Acute ethmoiditis in most cases is a secondary disease that develops as a result of an infectious process of a different localization: acute rhinitis, influenza and other diseases.  The anatomical features of the structure of the ethmoid labyrinth, which has a cellular structure, cause a high probability of developing acute ethmoiditis with inflammation in any other paranasal sinus.

Clinical picture of acute ethmoiditis: general and local symptoms

The clinical picture of acute ethmoiditis is characterized by the occurrence of general and local symptoms. Symptoms of a general nature include the following symptoms, expressing a general intoxication of the body:

• increase in body temperature to 37-38°C for 6-7 days;
• general weakness, body fatigue;
• headaches in the region of the root of the nose and orbit of varying intensity.

In acute ethmoiditis, the following symptoms of a local nature occur:

• difficulty in nasal breathing;
• nasal congestion;
• discharge from the nose of a mucopurulent nature;
• smell changes.

What complications can occur as a result of inflammation of the cribriform labyrinth

Under certain predisposing conditions, such as childhood, a weakened organism and a highly virulent infection, in acute ethmoiditis, the walls of the lattice cells can collapse, which leads to swelling and hyperemia of the inner corner of the orbit and the upper and lower eyelids on the side of the lesion. The process can suppurate, turning into a closed empyema and breaking into the fiber of the orbit. Such a complication is manifested by exophthalmos, outward deviation of the eyeball, chemosis, decreased vision and pain during movements of the eyeball.

Basic methods for diagnosing acute ethmoiditis

The diagnostic process of acute ethmoiditis is not complicated and is based primarily on the patient's complaints and the characteristic clinical picture of the disease. With the help of rhinoscopy, it is possible to see swelling and hyperemia of the mucous membrane of the middle nasal concha, as well as mucopurulent discharge in the nasal passages. In endoscopic examination, depending on whether purulent discharge comes out of the anterior cells or the olfactory slit, it can be established, respectively, that ethmoiditis is anterior or posterior. But the most informative research method for acute ethmoiditis is radiography or computed tomography, which allows you to see the darkening of the lattice cells, confirming the diagnosis.

Methods of treatment of acute ethmoiditis and its complications

Therapeutic tactics for acute ethmoiditis in the absence of complications is conservative, and is aimed primarily at restoring normal outflow from the paranasal sinuses. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to reduce the swelling of the nasal mucosa, which is best done with vasoconstrictor drops. It is also effective to put turundas soaked in a solution of adrenaline for several minutes in the nasal passages. To eliminate intoxication and the temperature reaction of the body, symptomatic therapy is prescribed: antipyretics, mucolytics, hyposensitizing drugs, antibacterial therapy. Surgical treatment is indicated in the event of complications of acute ethmoiditis. An endonasal opening of the cells of the ethmoid labyrinth, an endonasal or external opening is performed. orbital tissue or eyelid abscess. With timely effective treatment, the prognosis for the patient is favorable: acute ethmoiditis is cured completely. Otherwise, more serious complications of acute ethmoiditis and the transition of the process to a chronic form may occur.