Sinusitis can cause facial paralysis, but it is very rare. A more frequent complication of sinusitis is ocular nerve damage, leading to vision problems.
In these cases, sinusitis can cause paralysis, loss of corneal sensitivity, and altered eye accommodation.
O optic nerve usually is the most affected, with decreased vision usually in one eye, and may also develop into excessive tearing and dry eye.
Among the most frequent and serious complications of sinusitis are infections or inflammation that affect the orbit, as they may spread into the skull and cause:
- Meningitis (inflammation of the meninges, which is the tissue surrounding the brain);
- Subdural empyema (accumulation of pus between the brain and the meningeal);
- Cavernous sinus thrombosis (obstruction of a large vein located at the base of the brain, usually caused by the spread of bacteria from some infection. It is rare, but causes death in about 30% of cases).
Read too:
What can cause facial paralysis?
What is facial paralysis? What are the symptoms and how is the treatment?
It is best to consult an otolaryngologist to check for sinusitis and rhinitis or go directly to a neurologist for a more thorough evaluation of the neurological part.
