Rhinosinusitis most commonly known as sinusitis and occurs due to the inflammation of the mucous membranes lining of the paranasal sinuses (four pairs of cavities that connect the nose to the throat). The paransal sinuses include:
- The maxillary sinuses which lie below the eyes in the cheeks
- The ethmoid sinuses which lie between the eyes
- The frontal sinuses lie above the eyes
- The sphenoid sinuses lie
posteromedial to the eyes
A cold or allergy usually creates the inflammation and congestion that prevents drainage of the warm, moist, mucus-filled sinus cavity. This creates a perfect breeding ground for viral, bacterial or fungal infections.
Rhinosinusitis can be either infectious or noninfectious:
- Infectious rhinosinusitis usually arise from a viral infection and is generally caused by bacterial growth.
- Noninfectious rhinosinusitis is usually the result of allergies or other non-viral irritants.
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