Chronic etmoiditis

Chronic etmoiditis occur mainly as a catarrhal inflammatory process. Around the excretory apertures of the trellis cells thickenings of the mucous membrane are formed, which are small multiple polyps. Patients complain of pressing pain in the nose or inner corner of the orbit. The sense of smell is reduced. In the case of a rhinoscopy, pus is found under the middle shell (damage to the anterior lattice cells) or above it (damage to the posterior trellised cells). Often pus is released after removal of polyps. The data of X-ray study help to clarify the diagnosis.

Treatment in acute cases is conservative, as in the inflammation of other sinuses. In uncomplicated forms of chronic etmoiditis treatment is also conservative. Sometimes such intranasal surgeries as removing the anterior end of the median shell or polypotomy are used. In advanced cases, intranasal or external opening of cells of the latticed labyrinth is performed.