[Sinusitis during intensive care. Prospective studies].

Abstract

Two series of ICU patients, the first one with nasal endotracheal intubation, the other one with a tracheostomy, were included in a prospective and comparative study with repeated CT scans of the sinuses. Radiological sinus involvement is seen in both groups almost constantly; purulent sinusitis are often seen in both series. Unexplained fever should make us look for a sinusitis, even in patients with early tracheostomy. Moreover, our results ask for more study about associated causes, apart from nasal endotracheal intubation.