Glossary On Diagnosis of Sinusitis

The history given by a patient of sinusitis suffices in most cases to diagnose the condition. Tenderness over the sinuses on pressure further confirms the diagnosis. A physical examination done by the physician will rule out or confirm conditions such as nasal polyps, deviated nasal septum, nasal tumor, dental caries, etc. that can be a cause of sinusitis.

Certain investigations may be done to confirm sinusitis thought these are rarely done:

• X-ray of sinuses to detect infection, obstruction, tumors, etc.
• Nasal endoscopy: This procedure involves the passage of a thin, flexible fiber-optic tube (endoscope) through the nose into the sinuses in order to examine the interior of the sinuses.
• Computerized Tomography scan (CT scan) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can reveal the finer details of the sinuses especially those that are not detected by an endoscope.
• Allergy tests may be done to rule out any kind of allergies
• Blood tests may be done to rule out HIV
• A laboratory culture of material scraped form the nose may be done to rule out bacterial infection or fungal infection in cases not responding to treatment