Does sinusitis require surgery?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on January 06, 2025
00:00
00:00

Sinusitis does not necessarily require surgery; in some cases, medication treatment can be considered. This approach mainly depends on the severity of the sinusitis and the patient's overall symptoms. Especially for acute sinusitis or cases of mild chronic sinusitis, medication is generally the first choice. Furthermore, most patients can effectively alleviate symptoms and improve their condition through standardized medical treatment. The main treatments are oral medications and nasal sprays, and it is also advisable to consider cleansing the nasal cavity with saline solution followed by regular check-ups. In cases of fungal sinusitis or severe inflammatory reactions in chronic sinusitis, surgery might be considered. Generally, surgery is a common minimally invasive procedure with good outcomes.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 14sec home-news-image

How to treat nasal congestion caused by sinusitis?

Nasal congestion caused by sinusitis requires symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment as the initial step, because sinusitis, which includes inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, is caused by acute inflammatory irritation leading to nasal symptoms. This condition can result in nasal congestion due to the repeated stimulation of the nasal conchae by yellow purulent secretions. Additionally, patients may experience discharge of yellow purulent material from the nasal cavity, facial swelling and pain, headaches, and fever among other symptoms. Examination with an endoscope may reveal bilateral congested and swollen nasal mucosa, and yellow purulent secretions in the nasal passages. Treatment initially requires symptomatic anti-inflammatory measures to reduce inflammation. Since it is a bacterial infection, patients can use antibiotics. Also necessary is the use of saline nasal irrigation and nebulized inhalations to contract the nasal conchae and alleviate congestion. Once the inflammation is reduced, nasal congestion will gradually improve. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
46sec home-news-image

Should sinusitis use hot compress or cold compress?

Generally speaking, neither cold nor hot compresses are necessary for sinusitis, because sinusitis is mainly an acute or chronic bacterial infection of the sinuses. Common symptoms include nasal congestion, purulent nasal discharge, and reduced sense of smell. Some people may also experience headaches and dizziness. The main treatment is still medication, and it is also possible to consider rinsing the nasal cavity with saline solution, regular follow-ups, and if the inflammation is severe, sinus opening surgery may need to be considered, which currently mainly involves endoscopic sinus surgery. Overall, neither hot nor cold compresses have a therapeutic effect on sinusitis, so they are not recommended.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
55sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of sinusitis?

The clinical symptoms of sinusitis vary widely among individuals, and in general, it is considered a common illness. The most frequent clinical manifestations include nasal congestion, purulent nasal discharge, reduced sense of smell, headaches, and dizziness. Some patients may also experience facial pain and numbness; however, specific symptoms vary from person to person. Some may exhibit only one symptom, while others may experience two to three, or even multiple symptoms, with the disease demonstrating recurrent and fluctuating patterns. In terms of treatment, medication remains the primary approach, supplemented by nasal irrigation. Only a small fraction of patients, whose symptoms do not improve with conservative medication treatments or who suffer from particularly severe inflammatory reactions like fungal sinusitis, may consider surgery.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
1min 9sec home-news-image

Can sinusitis cause a fever?

Sinusitis may cause fever, but this is mainly seen in acute sinusitis or during the acute flare-ups of chronic sinusitis, which relatively tends to provoke a fever. If it is just a mild case of sinusitis or plain chronic sinusitis, most patients do not experience significant fever changes, but they might have symptoms like nasal congestion, runny nose, headaches, dizziness, and a decrease in the sense of smell. When experiencing a fever, it is important to visit an otolaryngology department as soon as possible where you might consider undergoing a routine blood test to check the extent of the inflammatory response. Most patients will need to consider antibiotic treatment for the infection. If the body temperature exceeds 38.5 degrees Celsius, there may be a need to consider antipyretic medications. If the fever is below 38.5 degrees, physical cooling measures are generally recommended, but it is necessary to regularly reassess and monitor the temperature, selecting targeted treatments based on the fluctuations of the condition. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
56sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of sinusitis?

The symptoms of sinusitis vary significantly between individuals. In cases of mild inflammation, there may be no symptoms, and the condition might only be discovered during a physical examination or through a head or sinus CT scan. However, in some patients with more severe inflammatory reactions, clinical symptoms can occur. Common clinical symptoms include nasal congestion, thick nasal discharge, reduced sense of smell, headache, dizziness, as well as potential facial pain, numbness, and vertigo. Some individuals may also experience changes in vision or field of vision. Generally, sinusitis is a common disease. Usually, it can be diagnosed based on clinical symptoms and examination of the nasal cavity. Some patients may need to undergo a CT scan, and in severe cases, surgery might be considered necessary.