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What is a Sphenoid Sinus Infection?

Sphenoid sinus infection is the inflammation of the sphenoid paranasal cavity located right behind the eyes, deeper into the skull than any other sinuses. Both of these sinus cavities are the size of an olive and are unique in shape, like fingerprints, from individual to individual. Due to their close location to main blood arteries, optic nerve and all the other major brain centers, the for sphenoid sinus infection should only be carried out by an ENT (ear, nose, throat) specialist. A person with a case of sphenoid sinus infection develops a debilitating headache radiating from the center of the skull behind the eyes, fever and sinus drainage. Symptoms worsen if a patient lies of bends down. The causes of a sphenoid sinus infection could be bacterial, viral, fungal or allergic in nature. Sometimes this condition can start out as sinus fungal infection and if not treated properly, can deepen into sphenoid type. Due to the deep location in the center of the skull, sphenoid infections are extremely hard to treat. A patient will require much stronger antibiotics for sinus infection taken for longer periods of time to ensure proper treatment. Along with antibiotic treatment, anti-inflammatory medications are prescribed to bring down the swelling and help with sinus headache. If none of the attempted treatments worked, a patient is recommended to undergo sphenoid sinus surgery to widen nasal passages and establish proper sinus drainage, culture of sinus mucus and tissue biopsy is taken to test for tumors and to determine the underlying causes for the specific type of infection.

If you develop a case of sphenoid sinus infection, do not hesitate and talk to your doctor, as success of your outcome depends on how fast the treatment is initiated to avoid serious health risks.

This information is not intended as medical advice and should be used only for educational purposes.

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.

2 Responses to “What is a Sphenoid Sinus Infection?”

  1. 1
    Melanie Says:
    I had a CT scan and have been told i have bilateral sphenoid sinus disease.Ive been on 5 lots of Antibiotics over 4 months.Ive done all the nasal rinsing and spraying and nothing is working.(i,m allergic to penicillin so thats not an option) My ears are blocked and my breathing is sometimes effected. Its the oddest feeling.Like i,m breathing through a straw with holes in it.Quite scary in fact It seems to be something at the back of my nose and throat.Also sometimes the air i breath into my nose will feel really cold which in turn effects my lungs..I,m guessing this is the turbinates not working properly to warm, moisten and filter.I have an ENT appointment next week and cant wait..its been the hardest 4 months to get through.Really miserable.
  2. 2
    Erin Says:
    Hi. I am loving that the more natural approach is becoming more widely known. Even in the treatment of CHRONIC sinusitis. It used to be that surgery was the only answer but balloon sinuplasty is now another option (balloon works with the nasal passages to help them do their job). Take care and thank you.