Acute Sinusitis Differential Diagnoses

Updated: Aug 14, 2023
  • Author: Itzhak Brook, MD, MSc; Chief Editor: Michael Stuart Bronze, MD  more...
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DDx

Diagnostic Considerations

Wegener granulomatosis involves angiitis associated with focal necrosis and granulomatous reaction, which initially affects the respiratory tract but which may progress to involve other organs.

Ataxia-telangiectasia is an autosomal recessive disorder associated with recurrent sinusitis, pulmonary infections, bronchiectasis, pulmonary fibrosis, tracheomegaly, diminished lymphoid tissue, and cerebral and cerebellar atrophy.

Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive disorder associated with respiratory, GI, cardiovascular and sinus abnormalities, among others.

Immotile cilia syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder associated with recurrent chest infections and/or pulmonary consolidation, sinusitis, bronchiectasis, and Kartagener syndrome.

Kartagener syndrome is an autosomal recessive disease associated with sinusitis, situs inversus, recurrent respiratory infections, and bronchiectasis, among other abnormalities.

Hyperallergic patients may have innumerable polyps filling the nasal cavity and obstructing the paranasal sinuses, giving a characteristic imaging appearance. This disease is closely associated with asthma. To see complete information on Asthma and Sinusitis, please go to the main article by clicking here.

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome is an X-linked, recessive, immune deficiency disease associated with recurrent respiratory tract infections and/or pneumonia, sinusitis, and mastoiditis.

Yellow-nail syndrome is associated with recurrent pleural effusions, pericardial effusions, chylothorax, bronchiectasis, and sinusitis.

Young syndrome is associated with azoospermia secondary to epididymal obstruction and recurrent respiratory infections and sinusitis.

Other problems to consider include the following:

  • Gastroesophageal reflux

  • Cystic fibrosis

  • Immotile cilia syndrome

  • Dental abscess

  • Periapical abscess

  • Sinonasal polyposis

  • Chemical rhinitis

  • Nasal foreign body

  • Chronic invasive fungal sinusitis

  • Sinonasal neoplasm

  • Upper respiratory tract infection

  • Primary ciliary dyskinesia

  • Unilateral choanal atresia

  • Adenoidal hypertrophy

  • Foreign body

  • Immune deficiency (immunoglobulin [Ig]A, IgG subclass)

Differential Diagnoses