Polysinusitis and pansinusitis: what they are and how they differ

A week ago it was an ordinary runny nose after a cold, and now an unfamiliar word has appeared in the examination report — "polysinusitis" or "pansinusitis". It sounds alarming, although it is still the same sinusitis, only specifying how many sinuses are involved and whether it is on one side or both. Let us calmly sort out what each prefix means.

What polysinusitis and pansinusitis are

Sinusitis is inflammation of the mucous membrane of one or more paranasal sinuses. The sinuses themselves are small empty spaces in the bones around the nose; they connect to the nasal cavity and produce mucus. When inflammation involves more than one sinus, a prefix is added to the name, and it indicates the extent.

Polysinusitis is inflammation of several sinuses. Pansinusitis (also spelled "pan sinusitis") is the extreme variant, when all sinuses of both halves of the face are involved. If all sinuses on only one side are affected, a separate term is used — hemisinusitis.

Inflammation of one specific sinus is named after it: maxillary sinusitis — the maxillary sinus, frontal sinusitis — the frontal sinus, ethmoiditis — the ethmoid air cells, sphenoiditis — the sphenoid sinus.

How they differ from maxillary sinusitis and ordinary sinusitis

Ordinary sinusitis is a general term, maxillary sinusitis is a specific location, while polysinusitis and pansinusitis answer the question "how many". By course, sinusitis can be acute (up to 4 weeks), subacute (4–12 weeks), and chronic (longer than 12 weeks); recurrent sinusitis — several episodes per year — is distinguished separately.

In practice, the difference is noticeable by symptoms: with one sinus, the pain is in one place; with several, the pain spreads out, "loses" its point, and turns into a headache. With a unilateral process, the pain is on one side.

What catarrhal polysinusitis means

The word "catarrhal" describes not the number of sinuses but the form of inflammation. By form, exudative variants are distinguished — serous, catarrhal, and purulent — as well as productive ones — parietal hyperplastic and polypous. Catarrhal polysinusitis means that several sinuses are inflamed and the form of inflammation is catarrhal.

Causes and signs of inflammation of several sinuses

The causes are the same as for sinusitis in general: viruses and bacteria, as well as fungi, allergy, and sometimes injuries to the facial area. Polyps in the nasal passages, a deviated septum, allergic rhinitis, congenital features of the nasal structure, and perforation of the maxillary sinus predispose to inflammation.

The most characteristic signs of inflammation of several sinuses:

• heaviness and pain in the area of the nose, the bridge of the nose, above the eye, or in the cheek, which worsen toward evening and when bending forward;
• nasal congestion, a nasal voice, mucous or yellow-green discharge;
• in an acute process, the temperature is often up to 38 °C and higher; in a chronic process, it rarely rises;
• weakness, fatigue, poor sleep, headache, sometimes sneezing and sore throat.

In a child, sinusitis can be suspected if, after the runny nose subsides, the temperature rises again after a few days and thick discharge appears. Most often this diagnosis is made in children aged 3–15 years.

How it is diagnosed: examination and CT of the sinuses

The diagnosis is based on complaints and examination of the nose and face; if necessary, the doctor may order an X-ray or CT of the sinuses. On an X-ray, mucosal thickness is assessed: in mild cases — up to 6 mm, in moderate severity — over 6 mm; complete opacification or a fluid level in one or two sinuses is also considered moderate severity.

Severity is assessed by a combination of factors: copious purulent discharge, temperature above 38 °C, opacification or fluid level in more than two sinuses, changes in blood tests, as well as orbital and intracranial complications or suspicion of them.

Possible complications and when to see a doctor

The risk increases when the outflow from the sinuses is impaired: inflammation can spread to the orbital tissue, causing the eyelids to swell and the eyeball to deviate outward or bulge. Severe course is described separately — with orbital or intracranial complications or suspicion of them; in this case, urgent medical help is needed.

You should see a doctor, and if necessary an ENT specialist, if symptoms do not resolve, sinusitis recurs, or bothers only one side of the face. With a child, it is better to see a doctor right away.

Sinusitis itself is not a reason to call an ambulance. Call 103 or 112 in a life-threatening condition.

This material is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation: show a report containing an unfamiliar word to an ENT specialist, even if breathing feels normal right now.

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