Catarrhal Maxillary Sinusitis: What It Is and How It Differs from Other Types

A child's runny nose has been going on for a second week, and you have already heard three different names: "sinusitis," "maxillary sinusitis," "catarrhal." All these words describe one thing: inflammation of the sinus mucosa, but the causes and course can differ. Let's sort this out calmly, without panic.

Catarrhal Maxillary Sinusitis: What It Is

Sinusitis is inflammation of the mucous membrane of one or more paranasal sinuses. Maxillary sinusitis is a variant of it in which the maxillary (maxillary) sinus is affected. The catarrhal form is one of the exudative forms of inflammation (along with serous and purulent). By course, sinusitis can be acute (up to 4 weeks), subacute (4–12 weeks), chronic (more than 12 weeks), and recurrent, with several episodes per year. The mucosa swells, the sinus lumen narrows, and mucus stops draining normally into the nose — hence the congestion and feeling of pressure.

Bacterial Sinusitis: Symptoms and Contagiousness

Acute sinusitis often begins as a cold that then turns into a bacterial infection. What happens inside: against the background of swelling, mucus stagnates in the sinus, and bacteria get in. Typical signs are pain, swelling, and tenderness around the cheeks, eyes, or forehead, a blocked or runny nose, reduced sense of smell, yellow or green mucus, and a high temperature. There may be headache and toothache, bad breath, cough, and pressure in the ears. In children, irritability, difficulty feeding, and mouth breathing are added. Sinusitis can be caused by both viruses and bacteria, and acute sinusitis often begins as a cold.

Allergic Maxillary Sinusitis and Sinusitis

Allergy can cause both acute and chronic sinusitis. Allergic rhinitis is among the factors predisposing to sinusitis. When symptoms are allergic in nature, the doctor may prescribe antihistamines.

Fungal Sinusitis

Fungal sinusitis more often develops as a superinfection.

Bilateral and Chronic Maxillary Sinusitis: How They Manifest

In a bilateral process, both halves of the nose are blocked and the voice becomes nasal; in a unilateral process, the pain is on one side. Chronic maxillary sinusitis drags on for months: the temperature rarely rises, but fatigue, sleep disturbance, and constant congestion persist. Acute sinusitis, on the contrary, more often causes a rise in temperature to 38 °C and above.

How the Types of Sinusitis Are Distinguished and When a Doctor Is Needed

The doctor makes the diagnosis based on symptoms and examination of the nose and face; sometimes imaging studies are needed — X-ray or computed tomography of the sinuses. You should see a doctor if there is no improvement after 7 days of treatment or after 3 weeks of self-relief of symptoms, if sinusitis recurs, and also with children 11 years old and younger. Very poor general condition, worsening pain, and weakened immunity should be cause for concern.

• pain and pressure around the cheeks, eyes, or forehead;
• nasal congestion and loss of smell;
• yellow or green mucus, high temperature;
• in children — irritability and refusal to eat;
• symptoms only on one side of the face.

By itself, this is not a reason to call an ambulance; 103 or 112 — if the eyelids or eyeball swell or the eyeball shifts or bulges, signs of intracranial complications appear, or the condition is life-threatening.

This material is for reference: it helps to understand the difference between the types of sinusitis, but does not replace a doctor's consultation.

This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer