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Sinusitis
Alternate Names : Acute Sinusitis, Sinus Infection, Sinusitis - Acute
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Sinusitis Diagnosis & Tests
Your doctor will test for sinusitis by:
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Tapping over a sinus area. Tenderness may indicate infection.
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Shining a light against the sinus (called transillumination). If dark, this indicates possible inflammation.
Other tests that might be considered include:
However, these tests are relatively insensitive for detecting sinusitis, and are often considered unnecessary.
A CT scan of the sinuses is a much better test to help diagnose sinusitis. If sinusitis is thought to involve tumor or fungal infections, an MRI of the sinuses may be necessary.
If you have chronic or recurrent sinusitis, further laboratory evaluation may be necessary to look for an underlying disorder. This may involve sweat chloride tests for cystic fibrosis, ciliary function tests, blood tests for HIV or other tests for immunodeficiency, allergy testing, or nasal cytology (checking the cells in the nasal secretions).
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• Definition
• Sinusitis Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Sinusitis Symptoms & Signs
• Sinusitis Prevention
• Sinusitis Diagnosis & Tests
• Sinusitis Treatment
• Sinusitis Prognosis
• Sinusitis Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Review Date : 10/28/2003
Reviewed By : Jacqueline A. Hart, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Boston, Ma., and Senior Medical Editor, A.D.A.M., Inc. Previously reviewed by Ashutosh Kacker, M.D., Department of Otolaryngology, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (1/23/2002).
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