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Retrobulbar pain in isolated sphenoiditis

https://doi.org/10.21518/ms2025-048

Abstract

Introduction. The opacification of the unilateral sphenoidal sinus (USS) in computed tomography is caused by various diseases, including inflammation and infectious sinusitis, benign and malignant tumors and encephalocles. Symptoms of isolated lesions of this sinus are varied and nonspecific. This symptom includes retrobulbar pain, which does not occur with other paranasal spasms. This makes this symptom diagnostically valuable.

Aim. Тo consider the relationship between the presence of retrobulbar pain in patients with isolated sphenoiditis and the nature of pathological changes in the sinus.

Materials and methods. A retrospective cohort study of multiple institutions was conducted on all patients with USS from 2017 to 2024. The demographics of the patients, symptoms, findings of nasal endoscopy and CT scans were recorded. For categorical features, the obtained data were analyzed using statistical methods.

Results. Based on the analysis, it was found that retroorbital pain was more often detected in patients with fungal formation of the sphenoid sinus in the association with or without purulent fundus (p = 0.01), and was also more often observed in client patients. Moreover, no correlation was observed between diplopia and inflammatory pathology.

Conclusion. Thus, retroorbital pain is a predictor of sinus chronic inflammation, requiring surgical intervention in short time, pathological changes in the sinus.

About the Authors

I. G. Arustamyan
Saint Petersburg Research Institute of Ear, Throat, Nose and Speech
Russian Federation

Irina G. Arustamyan - Cand. Sci. (Med.), Research Associate, Saint Petersburg Research Institute of Ear, Throat, Nose and Speech.

9, Bronnitskaya St., St Petersburg, 190013



S. A. Karpischenko
Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University
Russian Federation

Sergey A. Karpishchenko - Dr. Sci. (Med.), Professor, Head of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology with Clinic; Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University.

6–8, Lev Tolstoy St., St Petersburg, 197022



O. A. Stancheva
Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University
Russian Federation

Olga A. Stancheva - Cand. Sci. (Med.), Otorhinolaryngologist, Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University.

6–8, Lev Tolstoy St., St Petersburg, 197022



M. N. Kucheryavenko
Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University
Russian Federation

Mariya N. Kucheryavenko - Otorhinolaryngologist, Consultative and Diagnostic Center at the Polyclinic of the Research Institute for Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Transplantation named after R.M. Gorbacheva, Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University.

6–8, Lev Tolstoy St., St Petersburg, 197022



M. V. Nersesyan
Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba
Russian Federation

Marina V. Nersesyan - Dr. Sci. (Med.), Professor, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba.

6, Miklukho-Maklai St., Moscow, 117198



D. I. Kaplun
Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI” named after V.I. Ulyanov (Lenin)
Russian Federation

Dmitrii I. Kaplun - Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Associate Professor, Deputy Head of the Department of Automation and Control Processes for Scientific Work, Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI” named after V.I. Ulyanov (Lenin).

5, lit. F, Professor Popov St., St Petersburg, 197022



I. I. Shpakouskaya
Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI” named after V.I. Ulyanov (Lenin)
Russian Federation

Iryna I. Shpakouskaya - Engineer, Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI” named after V.I. Ulyanov (Lenin).

5, lit. F, Professor Popov St., St Petersburg, 197022



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Review

For citations:


Arustamyan IG, Karpischenko SA, Stancheva OA, Kucheryavenko MN, Nersesyan MV, Kaplun DI, Shpakouskaya II. Retrobulbar pain in isolated sphenoiditis. Meditsinskiy sovet = Medical Council. 2025;(7):150-155. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.21518/ms2025-048

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