Maxillary sinusitis in the surgical intensive care unit: a study using bedside sinus ultrasound.

PURPOSE: This study investigates the incidence of acute maxillary sinusitis (AMS) in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU).

METHODS

One hundred consecutive patients admitted to the SICU were examined in a prospective observational mode. Bedside sinus ultrasound (SUS) was performed on admission and every 48 hours. Patients with sinus fluid by SUS and unexplained sepsis underwent confirmatory sinus aspiration.

RESULTS

The development of fluid in the maxillary sinus was identified in 15 patients by SUS. Acute maxillary sinus occurred in only 1 (1%).

CONCLUSION

This study shows SUS to be a simple, efficient method for determining the presence of maxillary sinus fluid in the SICU. Acute maxillary sinus was an unusual finding. Our policy of avoidance of nasal instrumentation may have contributed to the low incidence of AMS in this high-risk patient population.