How to check for sinusitis

Sinusitis can usually be diagnosed through methods such as nasal endoscopy, imaging examinations, and laboratory tests. Sinusitis refers to an inflammatory disease of the sinus mucosa, mainly characterized by nasal congestion, purulent discharge, headache, or facial swelling and pain.

Nasal endoscopy is the most commonly used method for diagnosing sinusitis. Doctors will use a slender endoscope with a light source to directly observe whether there is mucosal congestion, edema, polyps, or purulent discharge in the nasal passage, olfactory cleft, and sinus opening area. For chronic sinusitis, endoscopic evaluation can also be used to determine if the sinus opening is blocked. In imaging examinations, sinus CT scans can clearly display the bone structure, mucosal thickening degree, and presence of fluid accumulation or soft tissue shadows in all sinuses, which is an important basis for determining the scope and severity of lesions, especially for patients with poor drug treatment or suspected complications. Magnetic resonance imaging is more commonly used to differentiate tumors or fungal infections within the sinuses. Laboratory tests include blood routine, and if the white blood cell count or neutrophil ratio increases, it indicates the presence of acute bacterial infection. For recurrent or refractory cases, doctors may take nasal secretions for bacterial culture and drug sensitivity testing to identify the pathogenic bacteria and guide antibiotic selection. In addition, allergen testing can help identify sinusitis induced by allergic rhinitis. Some patients also need to undergo olfactory function testing or nasal ventilation function examination to comprehensively evaluate the condition of the nasal cavity.

Before the examination, it is recommended to keep the nasal cavity clean and avoid blowing your nose forcefully. During the examination, it is necessary to relax and cooperate with the doctor's operation. Pay attention to keeping indoor air moist in daily life, avoid contact with irritating gases and allergens, and perform appropriate nasal flushing to help reduce inflammation. If there are severe headaches, decreased vision, or persistent high fever, timely follow-up examination should be conducted to check for intracranial or orbital complications. By adhering to standardized treatment and regular follow-up, most symptoms of sinusitis can be well controlled.