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Acute sinusitis: Symptoms of sinusitis that begin suddenly, often about one
week after a typical "cold".
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Ageusia: A loss of the sense of taste. Patients who experience anosmia
may also experience partial ageusia.
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Anosmia: A loss of the sense of smell. Anosmia is a common side-effect
of blockage of the anterior ethmoid sinuses.
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Barosinusitis: This is a sudden pain that develops in one sinus area as a
result of sudden swelling and closure of the sinus opening (ostium).
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Chronic sinusitis: Patients are diagnosed with chronic sinusitis when their
sinusitis symptoms persist for greater than 12 weeks despite
medical treatment. Chronic sinus disease may be caused by
anatomic sinus ostial narrowing, mucociliary disturbances or
immune deficiency.
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Cilia: Microscopic "hairs" on the surface of the sinus
membranes that provide a sweeping action to move mucus out of
the sinuses.
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Concha bullosa deformity: This is a common "anatomic variant" characterized
by an air-filled middle turbinate.
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Eosinophil: A type of white blood cell that usually comprises < 5% of
all white blood cells in the blood. Eosinophils are found in
increased numbers in chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps and asthma.
They contribute to inflammation by production of inflammatory
mediators, such as leukotriene C4.
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Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS):
The most common type of sinus surgery. The goal of FESS is to
remove blockages in the ostiomeatal complex thereby improving
drainage from the ethmoid and maxillary sinuses.
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Middle meatus: An important drainage pathway through the ostiomeatal
complex.
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Ostiomeatal complex: The drainage area for the maxillary sinus and the anterior
ethmoid sinus on each side. This area commonly becomes blocked
by swelling of the sinus membranes leading to an infection and
mucus accumulation in
the maxillary and anterior ethmoid sinus.
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Ostium (plural = ostia): The opening point at which each sinus empties into the nasal
cavity. The frontal, maxillary and sphenoid sinuses each have a
small sinus ostium. In contrast, the ethmoid sinuses have
multiple small sinus ostia.
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Rhinoscopy (nasal endoscopy): An examination of the nose and sinuses using a flexible or
rigid endoscope. Also known as nasal or sinus endoscopy.
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Septum: The vertical bone that separates the right from the left side
of the nose.
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Septoplasty: A surgical procedure designed to straighten the nasal septum.
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Sinusitis: Inflammation of the sinus passages due to infection or other
causes.
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Turbinate (inferior, middle, superior):
Normal structures within the nasal cavity that help humidify
and filter air as it passes through the nose. Each turbinate is
also know as a concha.