VSR 421: Regional Veterinary Surgery (2+1)

Pus in the sinuses - Empyeme

PUS IN THE SINUSES

Etiology

• Causes may be primary or secondary
• Primary cause
  • Injuries of the wall. Viz,., contusion, open wound- causing bleeding into the cavity.
  • Pyogenic organisms may multiply and cause suppuration.
• Secondary cause
  • Dental affections with suppuration of the alveoli  and root of teeth and perforation of their walls into the sinus.

Symptoms

• Nasal discharge – mucopurulent, non-offensive
• Pus – grayish, yellowish – white and with streaks of blood occassionally
• Sinus – swelling, dullness on percussion
• Lacrimation ,  mucus plugs

Diagnosis

• Respiratory noise ( Rule out glanders by Mallein test)
• By exploration of the sinus through an opening made by  a trephine.

Prognosis: generally be guarded.

Treatment

• Drainage can be facilitated by extraction of the affected tooth
• Flush the cavity with diluted povidone Iodine
• Administration of antibiotics following a antibiogram test.