Frontitis: symptoms of inflammation of the frontal sinus and treatment

Other names: Фронтит, воспаление лобной пазухи, фронтальный синусит, острый фронтит, хронический фронтит, болит лоб при насморке

Frontitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the frontal sinuses, located in the bones above the eyebrows. Most often, it develops as a complication of acute respiratory viral infection: swelling of the mucous membrane blocks the narrow frontonasal canal, mucus stagnates, and pressure and pain appear in the forehead. Most acute frontal sinuses are caused by viruses and disappear in about 10 days with symptomatic treatment; bacterial infections are less common. Chronic frontal sinusitis is associated with a deviated septum, polyps and other structural features of the nose. The frontal sinus borders the orbit and the cranial cavity, so swelling of the eyelid, severe headache or blurred vision due to a runny nose is a reason to immediately consult a doctor.

🧾 МКБ-10: J01.1, J32.1 🏥 Where it is treated: 7 Pain in the forehead and above the eyebrowsMore often after ARVIDangerous with complications

👨‍⚕️ Which doctor

Otorhinolaryngologist

🔬 Diagnostics

Examination and endoscopy of the nose, CT scan of the paranasal sinuses according to indications

💊 Treatment

Nasal lavage, nasal glucocorticosteroids, antibiotics for bacterial forms, endoscopic surgery for chronic cases

📈 Prognosis

Favorable with timely treatment

⚠️ At risk

ARVI, deviated nasal septum, polyps, allergic rhinitis, smoking

⏱ When to see a doctor

Planned; emergency - for swelling of the eyelid, blurred vision, severe headache

🚨 See a doctor urgently

With these signs do not wait for a scheduled appointment — the condition requires emergency care.

Отёк и покраснение верхнего века или лба
Двоение, снижение зрения, боль при движении глаз
Сильная головная боль, рвота, напряжение мышц шеи
Температура выше 39 °C
Спутанность сознания, необычная сонливость
Резкое ухудшение после первоначального улучшения

What is frontitis and what forms are there?

The frontal sinuses are paired cavities in the frontal bone that communicate with the nasal cavity through a narrow frontonasal canal. In children, they form gradually, so frontal sinusitis practically does not occur in children. With inflammation, the mucous membrane swells, the outflow of secretions is disrupted, and mucus or pus accumulates in the sinus. Based on duration, there are acute frontal sinusitis, which lasts up to 12 weeks, and chronic sinusitis, when symptoms persist longer. Inflammation often affects several sinuses at once: the frontal along with the ethmoid or maxillary.

Acute viral - the most common form
Acute bacterial
Recurrent - several episodes per year
Chronic - more than 12 weeks
Single and double sided
Pansinusitis - inflammation of all sinuses

Causes and risk factors

The main cause of acute sinusitis is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. Bacteria join when the outflow from the sinus is disrupted for a long time. Chronic inflammation is supported by anatomical features: deviated nasal septum, narrow frontonasal canal, enlarged ethmoid bone cells, polyps. Allergic rhinitis, smoking, diving and pressure changes during flights contribute to it. Sometimes frontal sinusitis occurs after an injury to the forehead or nose. Weakening of the body's defenses, for example with diabetes, increases the risk of severe disease.

ARVI and influenza
Deviated nasal septum
Nasal polyps
Allergic rhinitis
Smoking and secondhand smoke
Trauma to the nose and frontal bone
Diabetes mellitus and other immunocompromised conditions

Symptoms

A typical symptom is pain and a feeling of fullness in the forehead, above the eyebrow or at the inner corner of the eye. The pain intensifies when tilting the head forward, in the morning, when pressing on the sinus area, and after discharge of the discharge it may weaken. The nose is stuffy, the discharge is thick, mucous or purulent, sometimes flowing down the back wall of the throat. Possible decreased sense of smell, increased temperature, and weakness. With chronic frontal sinusitis, the pain is dull and less pronounced, but nasal congestion and discharge persist for months.

Forehead pain that gets worse when bending over
Nasal congestion
Thick nasal discharge
Decreased sense of smell
Temperature rise
Pain when pressing on the forehead
Weakness, poor sleep

Diagnostics

The diagnosis of acute frontal sinusitis is made on the basis of complaints and examination; additional studies are usually not needed in uncomplicated cases. The ENT doctor examines the nasal cavity, if necessary using an endoscope, assesses the swelling and nature of the discharge in the area of the middle nasal meatus. CT scanning of the paranasal sinuses is prescribed if complications are suspected, with a protracted and chronic course, as well as before surgery. X-ray is less informative. If there are signs of inflammation spreading to the orbit or cranial cavity, the doctor will urgently refer you to a CT or MRI.

Examination of the nasal cavity - rhinoscopy
Endoscopic examination of the nose
CT scan of the paranasal sinuses
X-ray of the sinuses is of limited information
Culture of discharge in severe or recurrent cases
MRI of the head for suspected complications

Treatment and prevention

For viral frontal sinusitis, the basis of treatment is rinsing the nose with saline solutions, nasal sprays with glucocorticosteroids and painkillers. Vasoconstrictor drops are used for no longer than a few days. Antibiotics are prescribed by a doctor if symptoms last more than 10 days without improvement, worsen after temporary improvement, or the disease is severe. In case of chronic frontal sinusitis and the ineffectiveness of medications, an endoscopic operation is performed, which widens the frontonasal anastomosis. Warming up during a purulent process without a doctor’s prescription is dangerous.

Rinsing the nose with saline solutions
Nasal glucocorticosteroids
Vasoconstrictor drops - short course
Painkillers and antipyretics
Antibiotics - only as prescribed by a doctor
Endoscopic surgery on the frontal sinus for chronic sinusitis
Treatment of allergic rhinitis, smoking cessation

Services and prices for this diagnosis

Based on official price lists of Tashkent clinics. The exact cost is determined after examination.

🔬 Diagnostics

Первичный осмотр отоларинголога Эндоскопическое исследование полости носа МСКТ придаточных пазух носаfrom 350 000 Рентген придаточных пазух носаfrom 90 000

💊 Treatment

Анемизация полости носа

Frequently asked questions: Frontit

How does frontal sinusitis differ from sinusitis?+

Both diseases are types of sinusitis, only the affected sinus differs. With sinusitis, the maxillary sinus is inflamed and there is pain in the cheek area; with frontal sinusitis, it is in the frontal sinus, and the pain is felt above the eyebrows. Often several sinuses become inflamed at once, and their treatment is largely the same.

Are antibiotics needed for frontal sinusitis?+

Not always. Most acute frontal sinuses are caused by viruses and resolve without antibiotics. The doctor prescribes them for high fever and purulent discharge, for symptoms lasting longer than 10 days, or for repeated deterioration after improvement. Self-administration of antibiotics increases the risk of bacterial resistance.

Is it possible to warm your forehead if you have frontal sinusitis?+

You should not warm up the forehead yourself: with purulent inflammation, heat can increase swelling and contribute to the spread of infection. Physiotherapy at the recovery stage is prescribed by an ENT doctor after examination. Safe home measures include rinsing your nose, drinking plenty of fluids, and humidifying the air.

Do they do a puncture for frontal sinusitis?+

Puncture of the frontal sinus is rarely performed today - mainly in severe cases, when the outflow cannot be restored with medications. Endoscopic interventions through the nose are more often used, which expand the natural sinus anastomosis and restore its ventilation without incisions on the face.

Why is frontal sinusitis dangerous?+

The frontal sinus borders the orbit and the cranial cavity. If left untreated, the infection can spread and cause inflammation of the orbital tissue, osteomyelitis of the frontal bone, meningitis or brain abscess. Such complications are rare but require emergency hospitalization.

The information on this page is for reference only and does not replace a doctor consultation. Only a qualified specialist can make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment after an in-person examination.