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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffAcute sinusitis complications include:
- Asthma flare-ups. Acute sinusitis can trigger an asthma attack.
- Chronic sinusitis. Acute sinusitis may be a flare-up of a long-term problem known as chronic sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis is sinusitis that lasts longer than eight weeks.
- Meningitis. This occurs when infection spreads to the lining of the brain.
- Vision problems. If infection spreads to your eye socket, it can cause reduced vision or even blindness. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment to prevent potentially permanent damage.
- Aneurysms or blood clots. Infection can cause problems in the veins surrounding the sinuses, interfering with blood supply to your brain and putting you at risk of a stroke.
- Ear infection. Acute sinusitis may occur along with an ear infection.
References
- Hwang P, et al. Acute sinusitis and rhinosinusitis in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 16, 2008.
- Leung R, et al. The diagnosis and management of acute and chronic sinusitis. Primary Care. 2008;35:11-24.
- Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters for Allergy and Immunology. The diagnosis and management of sinusitis: A practice parameter update. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2005;116(6)(suppl):13-47.
- Fungal sinusitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 16, 2008.
