Ethmoiditis in a child

Posted on by admin

Ethmoiditis: symptoms and treatment

Most often, the disease is diagnosed in preschool children, but neither newborns nor adults are immune from it.

Causes of ethmoiditis

Against the background of inflammation, swelling and diffuse tissue enlargement develop, the lumens of the cells narrow.

Table of contents:

This disrupts the drainage process, leading to the spread of inflammation to the bone tissue with the subsequent formation of abscesses and fistulas.

The morphological features of the disease divide it into the following types:

  • catarrhal ethmoiditis;
  • edematous catarrhal ethmoiditis;

Depending on the nature of the lesion, ethmoiditis occurs:

The causative agents of ethmoiditis are viruses, bacteria and fungi. The disease is rarely primary in nature, most often it is a consequence of another inflammatory process: rhinitis, sinusitis, frontal sinusitis, and in newborns - umbilical or intrauterine sepsis. The infectious pathogen enters the cells of the ethmoid bone through the bloodstream - hematogenously; less often, the infection is transmitted through contact and household methods.

Predisposing factors for the development of ethmoiditis:

  • adenoids;
  • allergic diseases of the nasopharynx (allergic rhinitis or sinusitis);
  • chronic infectious diseases of the nasopharynx (rhinitis, sinusitis);
  • structural features of the nasopharynx (narrow nasal passages, excessively narrowed excretory ducts of the ethmoid bone cells);
  • facial injuries (fracture or crooked nose);
  • immunodeficiency.

Inflammation from nearby organs (maxillary sinus, frontal sinus and others) spreads to the cells of the ethmoid bone. Pathogenic microflora actively multiplies and infects cells. The mucous membrane of the cells becomes swollen and hyperemic. The outflow of fluid from the ethmoid labyrinth is difficult due to the accumulation of pus. If treatment is not started, the pus will quickly spread to nearby organs - this will cause complications and may threaten the patient’s life.

Symptoms

Acute ethmoiditis develops against the background of acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, and allergic rhinitis. Its symptoms are pronounced. Chronic ethmoiditis is sluggish, but the nasal passages and sinuses are affected by many polyps.

Symptoms of acute ethmoiditis include:

  • prolonged runny nose - more than 7 days;
  • mucopurulent discharge from the nose;
  • entry of mucus and pus onto the back wall of the oropharynx;
  • headache, which is localized in the eye area;
  • swelling of the eyelids, especially after sleep;
  • discomfort and pain in the inner corners of the eyes and at the bridge of the nose;
  • deterioration of sense of smell and taste;
  • fatigue, weakness;
  • sore throat, cough.

Chronic ethmoiditis is rarely accompanied by complaints. The sinuses of the ethmoid bone are separated from the orbits by the thinnest bony partitions. If the inflammatory process penetrates this fine line, the symptoms of the disease may worsen: redness of the eyelids and double vision will appear, and vision may deteriorate until it is completely lost.

Ethmoiditis in children

In newborns, the disease is much more severe than in other patients. The disease begins acutely, with a sudden increase in temperature to 40 degrees. The child looks restless, he refuses the breast and bottle, food is not absorbed by the body.

A characteristic feature of ethmoiditis in newborns is eye symptoms: red or bluish eyelids with severe swelling, tightly closed palpebral fissures, motionless and protruding eyeballs. If the disease is treated, the child will show signs of dehydration and neurotoxicosis. From the moment the pus breaks through, orbital and intracranial pathologies and sepsis develop.

The cells of the ethmoid bone are already formed at birth, and the frontal sinus begins to develop only after the fusion of the mucous membrane with the frontal bone. This usually occurs by the age of three, so ethmoiditis in children under three years of age occurs only in an isolated form, and then can spread to the frontal sinus.

Ethmoiditis in young children easily penetrates the bone tissue and periosteum, provoking the formation of abscesses and fistulas. The close proximity of the ethmoid bone to the orbit threatens the health of the eye, leading to intraorbital complications. In older children, the frontal and maxillary sinuses are formed, so they may end up in the affected area, which leads to mixed diseases such as maxillary ethmoiditis and frontoethmoiditis.

Treatment

An otolaryngologist is involved in the diagnosis and treatment of ethmoiditis. The primary diagnosis is established based on the patient's complaints and his medical history. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor conducts an endoscopic examination of the nasal cavity and prescribes an x-ray, the image of which should show darkening in the area of ​​the cells of the ethmoid bone.

Treatment of ethmoiditis in children and adults can be medicinal or surgical, depending on the symptoms of the disease, the nature of the inflammation and the reasons that caused it.

Acute ethmoiditis is treated conservatively if there are no purulent complications. The goal of drug therapy is to restore the patency of the nasal cavity, eliminate swelling of the mucous membrane, and normalize the outflow of mucus from the sinuses into the nasal cavity.

The patient is prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs and nasal drops. The patient should also periodically rinse the nasal passages with saline solutions based on sea water (Aqualor, AquaMaris, etc.) and use high pillows for sleeping, since an elevated head promotes the natural outflow of inflammatory exudate from the sinuses.

Drops and sprays into the nose for acute ethmoiditis are of two types:

  • drugs against nasal congestion (vasoconstrictors): Rinofluimucil, Nasonex, Xylene. Such drops can be used for ethmoiditis for no more than 3 days, since they quickly cause addiction syndrome and aggravate the inflammatory process;
  • drugs that improve mucus outflow: Sinupret, Sinuforte. These drops are of plant origin; they activate the function of the ciliated epithelium, improving the outflow of mucopurulent secretions and inflammatory exudate from the sinuses into the nasal cavity.

If the disease is accompanied by severe pain, anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs based on ibuprofen or paracetamol are used: Nurofen, Ibuprom, Cefekon, Panadol. They not only relieve pain, but also reduce inflammation and, if necessary, reduce body temperature.

To increase immunity, it is recommended to take multivitamin complexes: Vitrum, Duovit, Alphabet; and immunomodulators: Ribomunil, Immunal, Echinacea compositum, etc.

  • UHF to the sinuses;
  • electrophoresis;
  • helium-neon laser;
  • phonophoresis with hydrocortisone.

In acute allergic ethmoiditis, contact with allergens is excluded and desensitizing therapy is prescribed using antihistamines, corticosteroids and antiallergic drops for the common cold with low concentrations of glucocorticosteroids.

The need for surgical therapy for acute ethmoiditis occurs when symptoms such as decreased visual acuity and exophthalmos appear. In this case, it is necessary to prescribe antibiotics, which are injected into the body. In the absence of a positive result from antibiotic therapy and the simultaneous worsening of the symptoms of the disease, urgent surgical intervention is required. The operation is performed endoscopically.

Chronic ethmoiditis is often accompanied by multiple polyps, which must be removed surgically. Also, with the help of surgery, it is necessary to eliminate the causes that caused the chronic form of the disease and aggravate its course. For this purpose, polypotomy (removal of polyps), septoplasty, selective removal of hyperplastic areas of the mucosa, etc. are performed. The operation is performed using an endoscope through the endonasal route.

Antibiotics for ethmoiditis

Acute ethmoiditis is usually caused by a virus, and antibiotics cannot have the proper effect on viruses. It is justified to treat ethmoiditis with antibiotics when a bacterial infection occurs and purulent complications occur.

If there are indications for antibiotic therapy, the doctor will first prescribe drugs based on Amoxicillin and Clavulanic acid. Such drugs are Amoxiclav, Augmentin. In case of intolerance to penicillin antibiotics, fluoroquinolones (Ciprofloxacin) or macrolides (Azithromycin) are prescribed.

Antibiotics are used for days. After the first 5 days of treatment, it is important to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy. If there is no positive dynamics, the drug should be replaced with a stronger antibiotic.

Complications

Complications of ethmoiditis are:

If signs of complications appear, it is important to urgently hospitalize the patient, since such conditions are life-threatening.

With timely diagnosis and adequate treatment, acute ethmoiditis goes away without a trace. Chronic ethmoiditis has a less positive prognosis: complete recovery is almost impossible to achieve. In the best case, it is possible to put the disease into a state of stable remission, subject to comprehensive treatment and subsequent prevention.

Source: http://moylor.ru/nos/etmoidit-simptomy-i-lechenie/

Causes, symptoms and methods of treatment of ethmoiditis in children

Ethmoiditis in children can occur due to various causes. Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the ethmoid sinus cells can occur against the background of rhinitis, after severe infectious or respiratory viral diseases, or due to facial injuries. Pathology develops when the excretory ducts of the cells of the ethmoidal labyrinth and the passage of the middle nose narrow. Quite often, this inflammation manifests itself in an acute form; chronic ethmoiditis is rarely diagnosed in children. In infants and children under 1 year of age, the pathology occurs in isolation.

In preschool children, the disease develops after the completion of the formation of the frontal and maxillary sinuses. Swelling of the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity develops, and the outflow of secreted exudate from the nasal cavities is disrupted. The inflammation progresses very quickly. After a short time, damage to the deep layers of the mucous membranes occurs, and swelling appears.

Types of pathology

Depending on the characteristics of the course, 2 forms of the disease are distinguished:

Depending on the location of the source of inflammation, right-sided, left-sided or bilateral damage is possible.

Main symptoms of the disease

Inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the cells of the ethmoid labyrinth occurs quite often in young children. It is a dangerous independent pathology.

Among the main symptoms of acute ethmoiditis in children are:

  • painful sensations in the area of ​​the bridge of the nose, near the base of the nose, between the eyes;
  • headaches, migraine;
  • touching the wings of the nose is very painful;
  • significant increase in body temperature;
  • swelling of the soft tissues around the eyes;
  • loss of smell;
  • lack of appetite;
  • purulent or serous discharge from the nasal cavity.

For young children, this is an extremely dangerous pathology in which serious complications develop within a few hours. The pathology immediately takes on a purulent character, the body temperature rises very sharply to 40 degrees (antipyretics for oral use are ineffective at this moment). Symptoms of intoxication at this point increase very quickly; babies begin to vomit incessantly, which can lead to dehydration.

With nasal congestion, inflammatory processes develop in the area of ​​the upper jaw and periorbital cell. The eye, which is located on the affected side, completely closes, the eyeball moves down. The disease progresses quickly, and life-threatening complications for the baby can appear as early as the 3rd day. In the absence of adequate treatment, intracranial or orbital complications and sepsis may develop.

The transition of the disease to a chronic form is a less dangerous, but still unpleasant complication that can develop in children in the absence of proper treatment for the pathology. Symptoms of a chronic process are distinguished by the fact that they intensify at night. With ethmoiditis in children, symptoms manifest themselves to a more pronounced extent than in adults.

Causes of the disease

Among the main causes of the development of the disease in children is the well-known runny nose. Not only children, but also adults encounter this unpleasant symptom of ARVI every year.

The disease ethmoiditis and its symptoms in children often manifests itself against the background of reduced immunity. Predisposition to this disease occurs against the background of inflammation of other paranasal sinuses. When prescribing treatment, the doctor must take into account the cause of the disease, because first of all it needs to be eliminated.

In children under 10 years of age, inflammation of the ethmoidal labyrinth cells is often diagnosed. Swelling of the mucous membranes due to a prolonged runny nose, ARVI, influenza and inflammation of other nasal sinuses can lead to pathology. In adolescents, inflammation of the cells of the ethmoid labyrinth is often combined with sinusitis or frontal sinusitis.

The disease is also diagnosed in newborns. It is extremely difficult, with an increase in body temperature. Home treatment is unacceptable; hospitalization is indicated. The cause of the disease in this case is often hidden in the umbilical, skin sepsis.

Ethmoiditis at an early age quite easily spreads to the bones and periosteum, provoking the formation of fistulas and abscesses. Due to its close location to the eyes, it poses a threat to visual health and, if left untreated for a long time, can cause blindness.

Diagnostics

Among the most informative methods used to diagnose ethmoiditis is computed tomography. A detailed examination allows you to determine the presence of the disease at the initial stage.

Magnetic resonance imaging is an equally effective tool, but it is used much less frequently. This is due to the fact that this device is not available in all clinics and the examination itself is quite expensive.

X-ray is a less informative, but more accessible diagnostic tool. Darkening will be visible in the image of the affected areas of the ethmoid labyrinth.

Among the effective methods are:

  1. Rhinoscopy. The nasal cavity is examined using a special speculum and a nasal speculum.
  2. Endoscopic technique. It involves the introduction of a special probe with an optical system into the nasal cavity.

X-rays are not recommended for young children. Performing rhinoscopy and endoscopy is also very difficult.

Treatment of pathology

It is worth noting that treatment of ethmoiditis in a child should be started without delay. This is due to the fact that this disease poses a real danger to the lives of children, especially young children. It is not the inflammation of the ethmoidal labyrinth cells in itself that is dangerous, but the complications that arise from improper treatment. That is why it is extremely important to consult an otolaryngologist at the first symptoms of the disease. You should follow all the doctor’s recommendations, because improper treatment can worsen the course of the disease. The selection of medication is carried out taking into account the patient’s age, the severity of the pathology, concomitant diseases, and individual contraindications.

At the initial stage of therapy, it is important to rinse the child’s nasal cavity from accumulated pus and mucus. The doctor may prescribe antibiotics and painkillers. It is extremely important to complete the entire course of therapy. Under no circumstances should treatment be interrupted after the patient's condition has improved.

The mistake of many parents is that they think that antibiotics are very harmful to the baby, and therefore treatment should be stopped as early as possible. This is not entirely true: antibacterial drugs act in a special way, and for a complete recovery it is important to complete the full course of therapy. In case of early interruption of treatment, the likelihood of relapse increases.

After the patient’s condition improves, the doctor prescribes physiotherapeutic procedures:

Surgical treatment is used only in the event of life-threatening complications. In some cases, a flexible endoscope is used for such surgical interventions; it is inserted into the nasal cavity and the necessary manipulations are performed. After the procedure is completed, the nasal cavity is disinfected with a special antiseptic. The mucous membranes recover quite quickly after manipulations carried out using this method.

With a correct and timely diagnosis, the child’s disease is cured quickly enough and the baby makes a full recovery. The main task of parents at this stage is to fully comply with the specialist’s requirements. The use of medications is sometimes not enough; for a speedy recovery, a favorable psychological environment, proper rest (necessarily naps during the day), and proper nutrition are necessary.

Parents should not forget about the need to strengthen the baby’s immunity, especially in the autumn-winter period. After complete recovery, it is necessary to pay special attention to the child’s health. He shouldn't be overcooled. Parents should remember that ethmoiditis is a fairly serious disease that needs to be treated only under the supervision of a specialist. It is unacceptable to try traditional medicine recipes on a child.

Source: http://gaimorit-sl.ru/sinusity/ehtmoidit-u-detei.html

Ethmoiditis, ethmoiditis in children: symptoms, treatment

A person has paranasal or paranasal sinuses in the nose; they are lined with mucous membrane, and when the mucous membrane of these ethmoid sinuses becomes inflamed, ethmoiditis develops. Ethmoiditis can develop for a variety of reasons, but mainly it can appear against the background of a chronic runny nose, or infectious diseases such as scarlet fever, measles or simply acute respiratory diseases.

In addition, ethmoiditis can appear due to facial injuries, when taking medications or due to allergies, and in this case, an infection joins the ethmoiditis or allergic rhinitis begins to develop.

Ethmoiditis begins to develop when the excretory ducts of the cells that have the ethmoid labyrinth and the passages of the middle nose, as well as the usual adenoid growths, narrow. Acute ethmoiditis occurs most often in preschool children, but chronic ethmoiditis can occur in weakened people who quite often suffer from viral diseases of the nasopharynx. It should be noted that in infants and newborns, ethmoiditis can occur in isolation, mainly by hematogenous means, but secondarily, after skin, umbilical or intrauterine sepsis.

But in older children, ethmoiditis can develop after the formation of the frontal and maxillary sinuses, and acute ethmoiditis can be combined with their lesions and this phenomenon is characterized as frontoethmoiditis or maxillary ethmoiditis. In the case when swelling of the mucous membrane occurs, the outflow of secretion from the sinuses stops. Also, in children, acute ethmoiditis may not occur due to influenza or rhinitis, but in cases where chronic and acute inflammation of the paranasal sinuses is combined, secondary lesions of the ethmoidal labyrinth may develop. In the case when the maxillary and frontal sinuses become inflamed, the anterior cells of the ethmoid bone are included in this inflammation process, and when the sphenoid sinus is inflamed, the posterior cell may become inflamed.

This entire inflammatory process can quite quickly spread into the deep layers of the mucous membrane and at the same time diffuse swelling and edema begin to occur, and their excretory ducts begin to narrow. This phenomenon leads to impaired drainage, and in children fistulas and abscesses begin to form on the bones.

Symptoms of ethmoiditis

The main symptoms of acute ethmoiditis in children are pain in the bridge of the nose and the edge of the nose, and they are also tormented by a severe headache. Usually the pain can be localized at the root of the nose, which is quite typical for inflammation of the posterior parts of the ethmoid bone. In this case, difficulty breathing through the nose appears, and the sense of smell may be impaired or may be absent altogether. In the very first days of the disease, you can observe a deterioration in the child’s health, his temperature rises, sometimes up to 38.5 degrees, profuse nasal discharge begins, it is odorless, but with the further development of the disease, this discharge becomes purulent or serous-purulent in nature. During this period, the child develops hyperemia and swelling in the area of ​​the lower and upper eyelids, in the area of ​​the angle of the orbit, and there is a rather sharp increase in purulent discharge in the upper or middle nasal passage.

In the case of the development of primary acute ethmoiditis, a change in the general condition is observed, and these processes are most pronounced, which causes a sharp increase in temperature, often up to 40 degrees, the child begins to vomit or regurgitate, parenteral dyspepsia develops, neurotoxicosis and exicosis appear. With secondary ethmoiditis, the disease progresses faster than the primary one, and the child tolerates it quite hard and complications of the disease appear on the second day.

In this case, patients may develop septic processes with numerous metastatic purulent foci, which causes pyelonephritis, parenteral dyspepsia, exicosis, toxicosis, pneumonia, pyoderma and ophmalitis.

Acute ethmoiditis is diagnosed based on clinical signs, as well as X-ray data, which can be seen on tomograms and radiographs of the skull bones, as well as the paranasal sinuses; a slight darkening of the cells of the ethmoid bone can be detected, in combination with an eclipse of the adjacent sinuses. In the case when ethmoiditis is diagnosed, differential diagnosis should be carried out in order to distinguish between erysipelas, suppuration of a congenital cyst of the nasal dorsum, dental damage and osteomyelitis of the upper jaw.

Treatment of ethmoiditis

When an accurate diagnosis has been made and the development of acute ethmoiditis has been confirmed, then its treatment can begin, and in this case, treatment is carried out conservatively. First, the outflow of secretions should be ensured with the help of vasoconstrictors, such as oxymetazoline, naphthyzine, nazol and galazolin, which help reduce swelling of the mucous membrane. Physiotherapy procedures, antibiotics, painkillers are prescribed, and the cells of the ethmoidal labyrinth can be opened, but this is done in the most extreme cases, if conservative treatment does not help. In the event that pain in the eyes begins, which is associated with photophobia, you can use antihistamines Claritin, Tavigil or Suprastin.

In acute ethmoiditis, antibiotics such as flemoxin solutab, sumamed or aerosol - bioparox can be used. In addition, to remove the purulent substrate, a puncture of the maxillary sinuses is performed, usually through the lower nasal passage and a tube is inserted into it, and washed through it three times a day , antiseptic drugs. Herbal preparations can also be used to treat acute ethmoiditis, but any herbal preparations can be used only if there is a good outflow of discharge from the sinuses. Treatment of acute ethmoiditis is carried out using the same drugs as in the treatment of frontal sinusitis and sinusitis. Therefore, at the first appearance of acute ethmoiditis, you should consult a doctor and not delay treatment so that the acute process does not turn into a chronic disease.

  • Author: Olga
  • Print
  1. 5
  2. 4
  3. 3
  4. 2
  5. 1

The material is published for informational purposes only and under no circumstances can it be considered a substitute for medical consultation with a specialist in a medical institution. The site administration is not responsible for the results of using the posted information. For questions of diagnosis and treatment, as well as prescribing medications and determining their dosage regimen, we recommend that you consult a doctor.

Source: http://lechenie-simptomy.ru/etmoidit

Ethmoiditis: symptoms and treatment in children

Children's respiratory diseases are common. A runny nose occurs very often in children, since their mucous membranes are much thinner and more sensitive than those of adults. This means they are more easily irritated and damaged. Immune defense in children also develops gradually, so it is easier for pathogenic microflora to penetrate deep into the body and provoke pathological processes. The respiratory organs are most often attacked, and inflammation can spread further from the nasal cavity or mouth.

Mechanism of disease development

The causes of inflammation of the mucous membranes of the sinuses are very diverse. Ethmoiditis most often occurs in children of preschool and primary school age. This is due to the anatomical structure of the skull - the paranasal sinuses in children are located closer to each other than in adults. And also with the fact that children, due to their not yet very powerful immunity, suffer from colds and respiratory diseases three times more often than adults: approximately 5-6 times a year.

The paranasal sinuses are hollow formations in the bones of the skull, lined inside with mucous membranes. There are four types in total:

  • frontal - located symmetrically in the center of the forehead above the inner part of the eyebrows;
  • maxillary - located under the eye sockets, on both sides of the wings of the nose, bordering the visage with the bones of the upper jaw;
  • ethmoid labyrinth - a cellular symmetrical formation, which is localized on both sides of the middle part of the bridge of the nose and borders the inner part of the orbit;
  • sphenoid sinus - located in one of the bones that form the base of the skull.

Inflammatory processes in each of the sinuses have their own name: frontal sinusitis (frontal or frontal), sinusitis (maxillary), ethmoiditis (ethmoid labyrinth) and sphenoiditis (sphenoid). This is useful to know, since often in children the neighboring sinuses are simultaneously affected, and then, for example, frontoethmoiditis can be diagnosed.

In 90% of all cases, acute ethmoiditis occurs when pathogenic bacteria enter the respiratory tract. From the nasal cavity, infection can easily penetrate into the paranasal sinuses and cause inflammation of the epithelial cells. The result of pathological processes is swelling and swelling of the mucous membranes. The narrow passage connecting it with the nasal cavity is partially or completely blocked, and normal air circulation in the cells of the ethmoid labyrinth is disrupted.

This creates ideal conditions for the development of anaerobic bacteria and the formation of accumulations of purulent mucus, which simply has nowhere to go. The liquid puts pressure on the inflamed mucous membranes and irritates their hypersensitive nerve endings, provoking pain, sometimes quite severe.

If left untreated, the disease quickly spreads to adjacent sinuses and can even create metastatic purulent foci in other organs.

Main reasons

Although acute ethmoiditis mainly develops in children as a complication after a viral respiratory disease, this is not the only cause that causes it. In newborns and infants, it can appear under the influence of an internal infection, against the background of existing sepsis, when the infection penetrates the ethmoid labyrinth through the bloodstream.

The most common causes of ethmoiditis in children are:

  • regular colds and viral diseases weaken the immune system and create favorable conditions for infection to multiply;
  • chronic diseases of the nasal sinuses (sinusitis, sinusitis) – inflammation in children easily passes from one sinus to another;
  • a small foreign body getting stuck in the nose may not make breathing too difficult, but at the same time disrupt normal air circulation and interfere with the outflow of mucus;
  • injuries to the nasal bones - because of them, the nasal passages narrow, or the nasal septum is bent;
  • some medications - if used incorrectly or uncontrolled, can lead to swelling of the nasal mucosa;
  • severe allergic reactions - swelling occurs and the natural passage into the lattice labyrinth is completely blocked;
  • overgrowth of adenoids - compresses the mucous membranes, disrupting the flow of oxygen and normal air circulation.

Finding out the main cause of the disease is very important and this must be done as quickly as possible. Otherwise, treatment, even correct and high-quality treatment, will not produce results, and the disease will become chronic, which subsequently provokes serious complications.

Signs of illness

Diagnosis of ethmoiditis in young children is very difficult, since one of its main symptoms is pain clearly localized on one or both sides of the middle part of the bridge of the nose, sometimes radiating to the eye. Kids cannot describe these states. And it’s good if you come across an experienced pediatrician who performs a thorough palpation of the skull, and the child tolerates it calmly and begins to cry only when pressure is applied to the painful area.

It often happens that at the acute stage they begin to treat ARVI or influenza, but the disease develops further and by the time it is detected it is already present in a complicated form.

To prevent this from happening, be sure to show your child to a doctor if he simultaneously has three or more of the following symptoms:

  • constant crying for no reason;
  • the baby shakes his head frequently;
  • difficulty breathing through one nostril;
  • the child constantly breathes through his mouth;
  • purulent discharge periodically appears from the nose;
  • disturbed daytime or night sleep;
  • the child is lethargic and gets tired quickly;
  • lost interest in favorite toys;
  • loss of appetite, baby loses weight;
  • subfebrile body temperature persists;
  • body temperature rises sharply;
  • There is a periodic non-productive cough.

Some of these symptoms may indicate other diseases. But all this will become clear during the diagnostic examination. In any case, the presence of these signs indicates obvious problems in the child’s body, the nature of which must be clarified as quickly as possible.

Diagnostic methods

The primary examination of the child is always carried out by a pediatrician. But he cannot confidently diagnose ethmoiditis, so ask for a consultation with an otolaryngologist if he has not offered it himself.

The doctor has the necessary tools for a more thorough examination of the baby’s oral and nasal cavities, as well as knowledge about the characteristics of respiratory diseases.

The final diagnosis is made only on the basis of hardware diagnostic methods and clinical laboratory test data:

  • a blood test will show whether an active inflammatory process is present and how intense it is;
  • bacterial culture of mucus - will identify pathogenic microorganisms and determine their sensitivity to various types of medications;
  • endoscopic examination - will allow you to carefully examine the condition of the cells of the labyrinth and check it for the presence of polyps and other neoplasms;
  • X-rays - usually taken in several projections, show damaged cells of the labyrinth, as well as the presence of inflammation in other paranasal sinuses;
  • computed tomogram - done on very young children and in cases where diagnosis is difficult by other means, the most informative type of examination.

Treatment is prescribed based on the results of the examination. If the child is in satisfactory condition, there is no need to place him in a hospital. It is enough to adhere to bed rest, some changes in diet and strict adherence to medical prescriptions. If there is a large accumulation of pus and severe spread of infection, hospitalization may be suggested.

Treatment options

Attention parents! Treatment of ethmoiditis with folk remedies is ineffective, and in children it is categorically unacceptable! This will only lead to the loss of precious time, the development of complications or the disease becoming chronic. If you value your child’s health, consult a doctor and follow all recommendations. In this case, there is a real quick and complete cure for the disease.

The course of intensive therapy is based on an integrated approach. It includes: drug therapy, nasal rinsing, strengthening the immune system and, at the stage of attenuation of the disease, physiotherapeutic procedures. Only this approach gives quick and good results and is able to eliminate both the cause of the disease and its symptoms.

The only exception is the treatment of allergic ethmoid rhinitis, which develops in children prone to frequent and severe allergic reactions. In this case, it is necessary to identify and, if possible, completely eliminate allergens, and while this is happening, together with an allergist, select a good antihistamine for the child.

Treatment of ethmoiditis of an infectious nature will most likely not be possible without antibiotics. This is the only way to completely neutralize pathogenic microorganisms that provoke inflammatory processes. They are also selected individually, and the dosages must be strictly observed.

In addition, the following can be used in treatment:

  • antipyretics – to reduce body temperature exceeding 38 o C;
  • anti-inflammatory – to relieve pain and stop the inflammatory process;
  • antiviral – if the disease is in the acute phase and is provoked by viruses;
  • vasoconstrictors - to quickly relieve swelling and restore air circulation;
  • antihistamines - as a prevention of allergies to antibiotics and to eliminate swelling;
  • mucolytic - for thinning thick mucus and its active discharge;
  • immunostimulating - to activate the body's defenses.

Specific medications should be prescribed by the attending physician. Independent adjustments to the course of treatment are unacceptable.

Several times a day it is necessary to rinse the child’s nose with saline solution or special preparations: “Aquamaris”, “Dolphin”, etc. An oil solution of chlorophyllipt has a good antiseptic effect. You can use "Pinosol" - it contains plant extracts that have antibacterial and antiseptic properties.

It is very important to provide the child with a gentle daily routine, to temporarily protect him from contact with other children and too active games.

Nutrition should be complete and of high quality, with an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. If this is not possible, ask your doctor to recommend a good children's multivitamin.

With properly selected treatment, the absence of complications and compliance with all medical recommendations, significant improvement occurs within 3-4 days, and complete recovery in 7-10 days. A complicated form may require a 2-3 week course of therapy and even surgery, so you should not allow it to develop.

Author: Anna Alexandrova

Comments and reviews

What is sphenoiditis?

  • Treatment of ethmoiditis at home

  • What is chronic ethmoiditis?

    • You may also be interested in

    Current prices and products

    A drug made according to an old folk recipe. Find out how it got on the coat of arms of the city of Shenkursk.

    Famous drops for preventing diseases and increasing immunity.

    Monastic tea for ENT diseases

    For the prevention and assistance in the treatment of diseases of the throat and nose according to the prescription of Schema-Archimandrite George (Sava).

    Any use of site materials is permitted only with the consent of the portal editors and by installing an active link to the source.

    The information published on the site is intended for informational purposes only and in no way calls for independent diagnosis and treatment. To make informed decisions about treatment and medications, consultation with a qualified physician is required. The information posted on the site is obtained from open sources. The portal's editors are not responsible for its accuracy.

    Higher medical education, anesthesiologist.

    Source: http://lorcabinet.com/bolezni-nosa/drugie/ehtmoidit-u-detej.html

    Ethmoiditis: symptoms and treatment

    Ethmoiditis - main symptoms:

    • Headache
    • Weakness
    • Dizziness
    • Fever
    • Nausea
    • Vomit
    • Fast fatiguability
    • Redness of the eyes
    • Swelling of the eyelids
    • Nasal congestion
    • Tearing
    • Pain in the eyes
    • Smell disorder
    • Nasal discharge with pus
    • Pain in the bridge of the nose
    • Swelling of the bridge of the nose

    Ethmoid sinusitis or acute ethmoiditis is a disease characterized by inflammation of the mucous epithelium located in the cells of the ethmoid bone. Few people know the meaning of this term (most often they hear sinusitis or sinusitis), but the pathology itself is very common. It is for this reason that you need to know what ethmoiditis is, its symptoms and treatment. The pathology is quite dangerous, since the source of inflammation is located close to the brain and the branch of the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for innervation of the face. Ethmoidal sinusitis occurs in both adults and children.

    Pathogens

    The main causative agents of sinusitis are the same viruses that provoke the occurrence of acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, rhinovirus or adenovirus infections. The cause of the disease can be bacteria - staphylococci and streptococci, as well as pathogenic fungi. In medicine, there have been cases where sinusitis develops due to the so-called mixed infection. Several pathogens are detected in the material under study.

    Ethmoidal sinusitis in rare cases develops primarily. As a rule, in preschool and school-age children and adults it appears as a complication from other infectious diseases: sinusitis, rhinitis, sinusitis. The infection enters the ethmoid sinus in two ways: hematogenous (most often) and contact. Sinusroethmoiditis can even affect newborn children. The cause is umbilical, intrauterine and skin sepsis.

    Reasons for the development of the disease

    The pathological process most often starts due to an infectious disease that affects the human body and weakens its immunity. As a result, viruses and bacteria begin to actively develop on the nasal mucosa. The main reasons for the development of sinusitis include:

    • anomalies of the nasopharynx (congenital and acquired throughout life);
    • frequent colds, runny nose;
    • viral infections;
    • fungal, bacterial, viral sinusitis;
    • chronic diseases associated with the nasal cavity (allergic rhinitis in particular);
    • facial injuries;
    • weakened immunity.

    The first signs of ethmoidal sinusitis in adults and children appear against the background of weakened immunity and inflammation of the paranasal sinuses. Older people experience this disease more easily. In children, the mucous membrane of the cells becomes inflamed much more often, and the disease is severe, with high body temperature. The pathological process can spread to other paranasal sinuses. In such cases, it is customary to talk about the development of sinusitis and frontoethmoiditis.

    According to the nature of the course, two forms of ethmoid sinusitis are distinguished:

    According to the localization of the inflammatory process, they are distinguished:

    • bilateral – cells on both sides of the ethmoid bone are affected;
    • right-sided - only the cells on the right are inflamed;
    • left-sided - only the cells on the left side are inflamed.

    The disease is also classified according to the characteristics of its course. There are three forms:

    1. Catarrhal ethmoiditis. The cause is viruses. This form is characterized by profuse lacrimation. The patient experiences the first signs of intoxication - headache, dizziness, weakness throughout the body, nausea. The whites of the eyes are red. In some cases, there may be broken capillaries in the inner corner of the eye. The bridge of the nose is swollen. Swelling extends to the corners of the eyes. With this form, the sense of smell is completely absent.
    2. Polypous ethmoiditis. This form of the disease is chronic. It occurs due to a prolonged runny nose. Swelling of the mucous membrane does not go away for a long time and often affects the ethmoid bone. Polyps gradually grow inside the cells, completely blocking the gaps. Because of this, the mucous membrane will be constantly swollen. Patients may experience remissions. At this time, signs of the disease almost completely disappear. The person can breathe freely through the nose. Exacerbation occurs against the background of ARVI.
    3. Purulent ethmoiditis. The most complex and dangerous form of the disease. Symptoms are pronounced, body temperature rises to high numbers - 39–40 degrees. Severe pain occurs in the frontal lobes and bridge of the nose, teeth, eyes. There is profuse lacrimation. The condition is aggravated by signs of general intoxication of the body.

    Acute symptoms

    Acute ethmoiditis develops against the background of infectious diseases. A person feels heaviness at the base of the nose and the nasal passages are blocked. Mucus is released along with yellow-green pus. Often this whole process is accompanied by a very severe headache.

    This form is characterized by:

    • temperature rise to high levels;
    • general condition worsens;
    • the patient feels weak and tired;
    • pain in the root of the nose, which extends to the eye sockets;
    • the skin of the inside of the orbit is often thickened and very sensitive to touch;
    • throbbing pain at the base of the nose and forehead (worsens at night);
    • fast fatiguability;
    • photophobia.

    In elderly people and young children, the pathological process can destroy the bone walls of the cells, and the inflammation will gradually spread to the soft tissues of the inner corner of the orbit. If acute ethmoiditis is not treated, the process will begin to affect the surrounding tissues, and multiple lesions will form. As a result, intracranial and orbital complications and osteomyelitis of the upper jaw will occur.

    Symptoms of the chronic form

    If the disease was not previously diagnosed and treated correctly, then the patient develops chronic ethmoiditis. Often this pathological process is a complication of inflammation of the maxillary sinus (sinusitis), sinusitis or chronic runny nose. The first signs of this disease appear in a person two months after suffering acute ethmoiditis.

    With exacerbation of chronic ethmoiditis, the following symptoms are observed:

    • the upper eyelid is very swollen;
    • there is purulent discharge from the nose;
    • Strong headache;
    • in the area of ​​the bridge of the nose the patient notes heaviness, which intensifies if he tilts his head;
    • pus and mucus flow down the nasopharynx. A lot of discharge accumulates in the morning and the patient coughs it up with great difficulty;
    • When moving the eyes, the patient feels severe pain.

    This form of the disease is dangerous because the mucous membrane of the middle concha of the nose begins to grow very quickly, and soon closes with the nasal septum. Degenerative changes in it lead to the formation of polyps. If the swelling does not subside, polyposis will occur. Multiple polyps will fill the entire nasal cavity and begin to come out. The nasal septum will be deformed.

    Complications

    If acute or chronic ethmoiditis is not treated, then purulent masses can spread to nearby organs. Complications develop that are dangerous not only to health, but also to human life. The most common problems that arise are:

    • eye complications – orbital phlegmon, retrobulbar abscess, empyema;
    • the lattice labyrinth is destroyed;
    • the inflammatory process spreads to intracranial areas. This is the most dangerous condition, as a brain abscess, diffuse purulent meningitis, and arachnoiditis can develop.

    Moreover, chronic ethmoiditis is almost impossible to detect on your own. Therefore, you can’t hesitate! At the first signs of the disease, you should immediately visit a qualified specialist. A “healed” or not completely cured inflammatory process can lead to irreversible consequences.

    Diagnostics

    The most informative method for assessing the condition of the ethmoid bone sinuses in case of maxillary ethmoiditis is computed tomography. Magnetic resonance therapy is also often used in medical settings. This method has its advantages - high resolution and information content. It can be used to diagnose sinusitis caused by fungi. MRI is the method of choice for diagnosing the disease in children, since it does not use ionizing radio radiation.

    To diagnose ethmoid sinusitis in adults, radiographic studies are used. The image will show darkening of the cells of the ethmoid bone.

    Instrumental examination methods:

    1. Endoscopic examination. It is carried out using a probe with an optical system.
    2. Rhinoscopy. The nasal cavity is examined using a speculum and a nasopharyngeal speculum.

    Treatment of acute ethmoid sinusitis

    Acute ethmoiditis must be treated with medications. Therapeutic measures will be aimed, first of all, at reducing the swelling of the mucous membrane of the ethmoid bone cells.

    The most effective treatment method is YAMIK sinus catheter. Using such a catheter, specialists remove pus from the affected cells and inject them with medicinal substances that suppress the activity of bacteria and viruses, thereby eliminating inflammation.

    Bacterial infections are best treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics - Amoxicillin, Tsipromed, Augmentin, Sumamed, Klacid. Taking anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ebastine and Chloropyramine is also indicated. Nasal congestion is relieved with the help of vasoconstrictors. The most effective are Naphazolin and Dimetindene.

    Treatment of chronic ethmoidal sinusitis

    Chronic ethmoiditis is more difficult to cure. Symptoms are eliminated by treatment with complex drugs - Polydex, Bioparox, Isofra. These products contain several active substances at once - an antibiotic, an anesthetic, a vasoconstrictor.

    Physiotherapeutic procedures also give a very good effect:

    • hydrocortisone phonophoresis;
    • electrophoresis with solutions of diphenhydramine and calcium chloride;
    • UHF on the sinuses of the ethmoid bone;
    • The nasal cavity is treated with a helium-neon laser.

    Surgery

    Surgical intervention for this disease is indicated only when complications arise caused by the rapid spread of the inflammatory process to the bone tissue and periosteum. The cells of the ethmoid bone are opened from external access. The operation is performed under anesthesia.

    The first thing the surgeon needs is to provide full access to the ethmoid bone. To do this, it widens the nasal passage. After which the cells are opened. All affected areas are removed during surgery.

    Traditional methods of treatment

    Under no circumstances should ethmoidal sinusitis be treated exclusively with folk remedies! They can serve as adjuvant therapy. The main treatment is antibiotics, vasoconstrictors and anti-inflammatory drugs. Additionally, you can rinse your sinuses with a decoction of sage, chamomile or strong black tea. You can also rinse your sinuses with a heated solution of wild rosemary or fireweed. Treatment of ethmoiditis must be carried out only under the strict supervision of the attending physician!

    Ethmoidal sinusitis in children

    This disease occurs in isolated form in children. The sinuses are affected, since they are the most developed from birth. Treatment of ethmoiditis in newborns, preschool and school-age children must be carried out only in a hospital setting!

    In children, all symptoms are more pronounced. The course of the disease is complicated by high temperature - up to 40 degrees. Intoxication phenomena - vomiting and nausea - gradually increase.

    The eye located on the side of the inflammation closes completely, and the eyeball moves down and slightly to the side. If you do not provide the patient with qualified assistance, complications may appear on the third day due to the breakthrough of pus. If the child does not receive adequate treatment, then on the fifth day orbital and intracranial complications and sepsis develop.

    Treatment of ethmoiditis in children is carried out only in a hospital. First of all, it is necessary to carry out active antibacterial therapy. The drugs are administered intravenously. Removal of pus from the sinuses can be done using an electric suction. Vasoconstrictor drugs are also prescribed. It is important to bring down the temperature in time. For this purpose, the child is prescribed Ibuprofen or Paracetamol.

    At the recovery stage, physiotherapy is prescribed - ultrasound, UHF, microwave, helium-neon laser, magnet. Children are monitored in the clinic until they are fully recovered.

    Prevention

    Since ethmoidal sinusitis is caused by a variety of microorganisms, there are simply no specific measures to prevent it. In order to prevent this pathological process from developing, it is necessary to prevent the development of diseases that may cause its occurrence. In addition, it is recommended to take vitamin complexes to strengthen the immune system during the cold season.

    To prevent the disease from developing in children, it is necessary to strengthen their immune system from birth. For this purpose, you can use vitamin preparations (according to age), give fruits enriched with vitamin C, and carry out hardening.

    If you think that you have Ethmoiditis and the symptoms characteristic of this disease, then an otolaryngologist can help you.

    We also suggest using our online disease diagnostic service, which selects probable diseases based on the entered symptoms.

    Glomerulonephritis in children is an infectious-allergic pathology in which the inflammatory process is localized in the renal glomeruli. Among specialists in the field of pediatrics, it is considered the most common acquired childhood disease.

    Sinusitis is a disease characterized by acute or chronic inflammation, concentrated in the area of ​​the sinuses (paranasal sinuses), which, in fact, determines its name. Sinusitis, the symptoms of which we will consider below, mainly develops against the background of an ordinary viral or bacterial infection, as well as allergies and, in some cases, against the background of a microplasma or fungal infection.

    What is ARVI? Acute respiratory viral infections are contagious diseases of viral etiology that affect the body through the respiratory tract by airborne droplets. Most often, this disease is diagnosed in children aged 3–14 years. As statistics show, ARVI does not develop in infants; only isolated cases have been reported in which a child at that age suffered from the disease.

    Ischemic colitis is a disease characterized by ischemia (blood circulation disorders) of the vessels of the large intestine. As a result of the development of pathology, the affected segment of the intestine does not receive the required amount of blood, so its functions are gradually impaired.

    Rhinosinusitis is a disease characterized by inflammation of the nasal mucosa and paranasal sinuses. More often, the pathology develops in people aged 45 to 70 years, but progression of rhinosinusitis in children is possible. It is worth noting that among the fair sex the incidence is several times higher than among men.

    With the help of exercise and abstinence, most people can do without medicine.

    Symptoms and treatment of human diseases

    Reproduction of materials is possible only with the permission of the administration and indicating an active link to the source.

    All information provided is subject to mandatory consultation with your attending physician!

    Questions and suggestions: [javascript protected email address]

    Source: http://simptomer.ru/bolezni/organy-dykhaniya/810-etmoidit-simptomy