ASSESSMENT OF THE PATENCY OF NATURAL PATHWAYS OF THE PARANASAL SINUSES IN ACUTE RHINOSINUSITIS

Scientific research address the assessment of the patency of the natural pathways of the paranasal sinuses in patients with acute rhinosinusitis. As inflammation develops, the swollen mucosa of the ostiomeatal complex obstructs the natural openings of the paranasal sinuses. These openings typically range from 1 to 3 mm in diameter but can sometimes be even smaller. The development of acute rhinosinusitis is directly associated with acute inflammation of the mucous membrane in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Under normal conditions, this mucosa is as thin as parchment paper, but due to the disease, it can thicken up to 20-100 times its normal size, forming a cushion-like shape. These openings act as valves, and when they become blocked, the self-cleaning mechanism of the sinuses is disrupted. Consequently, gas exchange ceases, leading to tissue hypoxia and acidosis. Severe swelling and secretion retention reduce oxygen pressure within the sinuses, creating a favorable environment for active bacterial infection to develop. Therefore, in the treatment of patients with acute rhinosinusitis, it is crucial to reduce nasal mucosal edema as quickly as possible and restore the aeration of the paranasal sinuses. Acute maxillary sinusitis holds a significant position among inflammatory diseases of the paranasal sinuses. The degree of functional impairment in the natural pathways of the sinuses greatly influences the clinical course of the disease, the severity of symptoms, and the extent of narrowing or complete blockage of the natural openings. These factors, in turn, affect the formation, spread, and duration of the inflammatory process. Based on this, assessing the patency of the natural maxillary sinus pathway and developing an appropriate treatment strategy is a critical issue in addressing problems related to acute maxillary sinusitis.