How to diagnose sinusitis?
The main cause of sinusitis are bacteria, therefore antibiotic treatment is the safest. Sinusitis may be caused by viruses, but in this case antibiotic treatment is not helpful.
Knowing these causes is important because it prevents confusion of how drugs are administered. It is also good to know that colds and respiratory infections are viral diseases that are treated with antibiotics.
Diagnosis with CT (computed tomography) In most cases the diagnosis of acute sinusitis does not require examination. CT diagnosis may indicate the existence of a sinus infection, if these conditions are met:
- Air-fluid level in one or more sinuses to be in equilibrium;
- Total blockage of one or more sinuses;
- Sinus mucosa is bold.
Mucosal thickening can occur in people who do not have symptoms of sinusitis. For this reason, CT diagnosis must be correlated with each person’s symptoms and physical examination.
Diagnosis with ultrasound. The procedure is quick, safe and less expensive than with CT. The disadvantage of this type of diagnosis is that results are not so detailed like TC. Sinus infection diagnosis with ultrasound has not been accepted by the medical community for some areas, for example, around the ears, nose and throat.
UNG diagnostic type (specialized examinations for ears, nose and throat)
If symptoms do not improve and persist after a proper treatment, then you have to make a UNG examination (ear, nose and throat). Because it is specialized for each sinus, it can directly visualize the nasal passages and sinuses entries. This is a fiber optic flexible or rigid that is inserted into the nose for the doctor to see the nasal passages.
UNG examination is less aggressive than the ones already mentioned. During the procedure a doctor inserts a needle into the sinus through skin and bone, to remove liquid, and sent to laboratory for examination. Thus, any bacteria present will be identified and removed by treatment.
