The sinuses, the collective term for the air-filled bony cavities surrounding the nasal cavity, play a vital role in physiological functions such as breathing and vocal resonance. However, unexpected situations in daily life, such as children inserting small objects into their noses while playing, or foreign objects entering the sinuses due to trauma, can cause health problems. Timely determination of whether there is a foreign object in the sinuses is crucial for taking appropriate treatment measures and avoiding serious complications.
Observing Symptoms
Unilateral Nasal Congestion: One of the most obvious signs of a foreign object in the sinuses is unilateral nasal obstruction. Normally, breathing is smooth in both nasal cavities. When there is a foreign object in one sinus, airflow is obstructed, resulting in a feeling of congestion on that side of the nose. This congestion is persistent and does not significantly improve with changes in body position. For example, if a child suddenly experiences unilateral nasal congestion after playing and it doesn't improve for a long time, parents should be alert to the possibility of a foreign object entering the sinus.
Purulent Nasal Discharge: After a foreign object enters the sinus, it irritates the sinus mucosa, triggering an inflammatory response and leading to increased secretions within the sinuses. These secretions are mostly purulent, and may be yellow or yellowish-green in color, sometimes with an unpleasant odor. If you notice persistent purulent discharge from one nostril, especially with an unpleasant odor, it is very likely that there is a foreign body in the sinus with infection.
Headache: The sinuses are connected to the nasal cavity. When a foreign object blocks the sinus opening, affecting airflow and the drainage of secretions, the pressure inside the sinus increases, which can compress surrounding tissues and nerves, causing headaches. The location of the headache is usually related to the affected sinus; for example, headaches caused by maxillary sinusitis are often located in the cheek, while headaches caused by frontal sinusitis manifest as pain in the forehead. Headaches generally worsen during the day and are relieved at night or after rest.
Decreased or lost sense of smell: Foreign bodies in the sinuses obstruct the nasal cavity, affecting the delivery of odor molecules to the olfactory mucosa, or foreign body irritation causing swelling or damage to the olfactory mucosa, can all cause a decreased or even lost sense of smell. If there is a sudden and significant decrease in smell on one or both sides without other obvious causes, such as a cold or rhinitis, the possibility of a sinus foreign body should be considered.
Auxiliary Examinations
Nasal Endoscopy:This is an effective method for directly observing the internal condition of the nasal cavity and sinuses. The doctor inserts a thin nasal endoscope through the nasal cavity, allowing clear visualization of the structures within the nasal cavity and sinuses, including the presence, location, and size of foreign bodies, as well as any lesions in surrounding tissues. Nasal endoscopy is simple to perform, minimally invasive, and highly accurate, making it a crucial tool for diagnosing sinus foreign bodies.
Sinus CT Scan:CT scans provide detailed cross-sectional images of the sinuses, clearly showing their morphology, structure, and the presence of foreign bodies. Compared to nasal endoscopy, CT scans offer a more comprehensive understanding of the location of the foreign body and its relationship to surrounding tissues. CT scans are particularly valuable for foreign bodies located deep within the sinuses and difficult to visualize directly with a nasal endoscope. Furthermore, CT scans can detect other lesions within the sinuses, such as sinusitis and sinus cysts.
X-ray Examination:Although X-ray examinations have relatively low resolution, they can provide a preliminary assessment of the location and size of dense metallic foreign bodies, such as coins or marbles. However, because X-rays are not very effective at visualizing soft tissues, their diagnostic value is limited for some low-density foreign objects, such as plastic and paper.
Understanding Medical History and Predisposing Factors
Inquire about history of trauma: If there has been recent head trauma, nasal impact, or other similar incidents, especially if accompanied by nasal bleeding or pain, it may have led to a foreign object entering the sinuses. For example, in car accidents or falls, foreign objects may enter the nasal cavity and then the sinuses during the injury.
Inquire about the child's play habits: Children are curious and like to put small objects into their noses, such as beans, beads, or small toy parts. If parents notice these symptoms in their child after playing, they should inquire in detail whether the child has put anything into their nose. This is an important clue in determining if there is a foreign object in the sinuses.
Timely identification and diagnosis of sinus foreign bodies are crucial for treatment and prognosis. Once a foreign body is suspected in the sinuses, medical attention should be sought immediately. A comprehensive assessment using the methods described above can help remove the foreign body as soon as possible, restore normal sinus function, and prevent complications. At the same time, we should also strengthen safety education for children in our daily lives to prevent similar incidents from happening.
