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Acute isolated sphenoid sinusitis

H K K Tan1, Y K Ong

  • 1Otolaryngology Service, Division of Pediatric Surgery, KK Women and Children's Hospital, Singapore. enttankk@kkh.com.sg

Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore
|November 9, 2004
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Acute isolated sphenoid sinusitis, rare and often misdiagnosed, requires high suspicion. Early diagnosis and treatment, including antibiotics and surgery, lead to recovery and prevent complications.

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Neurology
  • Infectious Disease

Background:

  • Acute isolated sphenoid sinusitis is a rare condition, accounting for less than 3% of sinusitis cases.
  • Its vague symptoms and subtle clinical findings often lead to misdiagnosis.

Observation:

  • Two cases of acute isolated sphenoid sinusitis with unusual presentations are reported.
  • Patients presented with acute headache, eye pain, and fever, initially mimicking meningitis.
  • One case exhibited contralateral symptoms, and both had intracranial complications.

Findings:

  • Treatment involved intravenous antibiotics and endoscopic sphenoidotomy.
  • Both patients achieved full recovery without neurological deficits.

Implications:

  • A high index of suspicion is crucial for diagnosing acute sphenoiditis due to its subtle presentation.
  • The sphenoid sinus's proximity to critical structures necessitates prompt management to avoid complications.
  • Early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics can resolve uncomplicated cases; surgical intervention is indicated for persistent or complicated disease.

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