STUDY: CORRELATION BETWEEN FACIAL PAIN AND SINUS SEVERITY

[Guest guest]

STUDY: CORRELATION BETWEEN FACIAL PAIN AND SINUS SEVERITY

The June edition of Larnygoscope features a study on the " Correlation

Between Facial Pain or Headache and Computed Tomography in Rhinosinusitis

in Canadian and U.S. Subjects. " Here is the abstract from that study:

Objectives:

1) To determine whether a correlation exists between facial pain or

headache and sinus disease severity by computed tomography (CT) scan in

patients with rhinosinusitis and

2) To compare disease severity and pain perception in two geographically

diverse North American patient populations.

Study Design:

Prospective patient questionnaire before CT scan of the paranasal sinuses.

Methods:

Patients with refractory rhinosinusitis were recruited at the University of

Texas Medical Branch (Galveston, TX) and the University of Alberta

(Edmonton, Alberta, Canada). Before CT scanning, patients completed a pain

questionnaire. All scans were interpreted by one neuroradiologist and were

scored using the Lund-McKay, Harvard, and Kennedy staging systems for

rhinosinusitis.

Results:

Fifty-one patients completed questionnaires (27 were Canadian). There was

no correlation between pain severity and disease severity reflected by any

of the three staging systems used (P >.05). The mean pain score for the

U.S. patients was 7.3, and for Canadian patients, 5.2. The mean CT scores

for U.S. versus Canadian patients were as follows: Lund-McKay, 2.6 versus

6.6; Harvard, 0.7 versus 1.0; and Kennedy, 1.4 versus 2.2. The Canadian

patients had more severe disease on CT scan (Lund-McKay, P =.001; Harvard,

P =.005; and Kennedy, P =.007) while reporting less severe pain (P =.004).

Conclusions:

There was no correlation between pain severity and disease severity by

sinus CT scan as graded by the Lund-McKay, Harvard, or Kennedy staging

system. Facial pain and headache, although frequent complaints of patients

with rhinosinusitis, are not useful predictors of sinus disease severity.

There appears to be a difference in pain perception between the two North

American populations.

Gordon Shields, MD; Hadi Seikaly, MD; LeBoeuf; Faustino Guinto,

MD; Herve LeBoeuf, MD; Pincus, MD; Calhoun, MD

________________________________

SINUSITIS RELIEF

Chronic sinusitis is the leading chronic condition in the United States,

costing businesses billions of dollars in time lost from employees battling

sinus conditions. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, &

Immunology, sinusitis is reported " to be one of the most expensive

disorders in the U.S. and its prevalence is on the rise. " If you think you

have a sinus problem it is best to visit your doctor for a proper

diagnosis, recommendation, and treatment. While no cure yet exists for

sinusitis, there are small things that can be done to help bring some

relief.

Here are some sinusitis relief tips by the NAIAD:

Although you cannot prevent all sinus disorders-any more than you can avoid

all colds or bacterial infections-you can do certain things to reduce the

number and severity of the attacks and possibly prevent acute sinusitis

from becoming chronic.

* You may get some relief from your symptoms with a humidifier,

particularly if room air in your home is heated by a dry forced-air system.

* Air conditioners help to provide an even temperature.

*Electrostatic filters attached to heating and air conditioning equipment

are helpful in removing allergens from the air.

If you are prone to getting sinus disorders, especially if you have

allergies, you should avoid cigarette smoke and other air pollutants.

If your allergies inflame your nasal passages, you are more likely to have

a strong reaction to all irritants.

If you suspect that your sinus inflammation may be related to dust, mold,

pollen, or food-or any of the hundreds of allergens that can trigger an

upper respiratory reaction-you should consult your doctor. Your doctor can

use various tests to determine whether you have an allergy and its cause.

This will help you and your doctor take appropriate steps to reduce or

limit your allergy symptoms.

Drinking alcohol also causes nasal and sinus membranes to swell. If you are

prone to sinusitis, it may be uncomfortable for you to swim in pools

treated with chlorine, since it irritates the lining of the nose and

sinuses. Divers often get sinus congestion and infection when water is

forced into the sinuses from the nasal passages.

You may find that air travel poses a problem if you are suffering from

acute or chronic sinusitis. As air pressure in a plane is reduced, pressure

can build up in your head blocking your sinuses or eustachian tubes in your

ears. Therefore, you might feel discomfort in your sinus or middle ear

during the plane's ascent or descent. Some doctors recommend using

decongestant nose drops or inhalers before your flight to avoid this

problem.

Becki

YOUR FAVORITE LilGooberGirl

YOUNGLUNG EMAIL SUPPORT LIST

www.topica.com/lists/younglung

Pediatric Interstitial Lung Disease Society

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/InterstitialLung_Kids/