Sinus barotrauma

Background

• Also known as "sinus squeeze"
• Occurs during scuba diving or air flight

Clinical Features

• Pain over affected sinus, possible bleeding from nares

Differential Diagnosis

Scuba Diving Emergencies

• Barotrauma of descent
  • Otic barotrauma
  • Sinus barotrauma
  • Face squeeze
• Barotrauma of ascent
  • Pulmonary barotrauma (pulmonary overpressurization syndrome)
  • Decompression sickness (DCS)
  • Arterial gas embolism
• At depth injuries
  • Oxygen toxicity
  • Nitrogen narcosis
  • Hypothermia
  • Contaminated gas mixture (e.g. CO toxicity)
  • Caustic cocktail from rebreathing circuit

Barotrauma Types

• Otic barotrauma
• Pulmonary barotrauma
• Sinus barotrauma

Evaluation

• Usually clinical

Management

• Decongestants
• Consider antibiotics

Disposition

• Generally discharge

See Also

• Barotrauma

Authors:

Claire, Michael Holtz, Neil Young, Daniel Ostermayer, Ross Donaldson