Build up of secretions and infection within the air-filled bony cavities surrounding the nose. Usually follows viral infection which prevents normal clearing of the sinus linings and obstructs the drainage points.
Clinical Features
Nasal discharge
Fever
Pain often felt as pressure around or behind the eye or in the cheeks; tends to be worse on bending forward
May become chronic
Relevance to ophthalmologist is in causing pain around the eye and predisposing to infection of the eye socket (orbital cellulitis)
Management
Mild infection managed by GP
See ENT surgeon if severe or chronic
