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The sphenoid sinus is an air-filled cavity in the skull that lightens the weight of the skull and may provide cushioning from impacts. It can become inflamed and infected, causing headaches and fever. It can also develop tumors, which can be cancerous and difficult to diagnose and treat. Recurrence is common, and early symptoms should be reported to a doctor.
The sphenoid sinus is an air-filled cavity that surrounds the sphenoid bone in the skull. Each has two sphenoid sinuses, each of which is the size of a grape. These sinuses are asymmetrical in shape and drain into the back of the nose. Over the course of childhood and adolescence, the sphenoid sinuses grow and stabilize into their final shapes, with everyone having slightly different patterns to their sinuses; sometimes, breast anatomy can also be used like a fingerprint to identify someone.
Each sphenoid sinus is located approximately in the center of the skull, behind the nose and eyes. Like other facial sinuses, the function of the sphenoid sinuses is not fully understood. They appear to lighten the weight of the skull and may provide some cushioning from impacts to protect the brain and also provide a pathway for mucus to drain. In rare cases, the sphenoid sinuses can become inflamed and infected, in a condition known as sinusitis.
When a patient has sphenoid sinusitis, they usually develop a headache which can be quite persistent and very painful. A dull ache may also emerge behind the eyes and the patient may experience fever and characteristic nasal discharge. Treatment involves applying anti-inflammatory drugs to resolve the inflammation and antibiotics to kill the microorganisms responsible. Fluids present in the sphenoid sinus may need to be cultured to determine the cause of the inflammation.
The location of the sphenoid sinus is of interest to some surgeons because it may provide an avenue of access for certain surgical procedures on the head. This sinus can also develop tumors, which can become cancerous and problematic because this sinus is in close proximity to the eyes and brain. Abnormalities such as swelling or fluid buildup caused by an infection can be seen with the use of medical imaging studies such as MRIs which can visualize the inside of the head.
Many people go a lifetime without experiencing sphenoid sinus problems. In cases where problems such as infections or tumors arise, diagnosis and treatment can be difficult due to the location of the sphenoid sinus. People with a history of sinusitis and sphenoid tumors should also be aware that recurrence is common, and when early symptoms are identified, it is a good idea to inform a doctor of any previous history of problems with the sphenoid sinuses, as this can save time on diagnosis.
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