Acute sinusitis with pain may develop during air travel in response to changes in cabin pressure, especially during descent. A number of factors may determine if and how severe barosinusitis may be.
Risk factors for barosinusitis:
(1) presence of acute sinusitis
(2) history of chronic sinusitis
(3) acute upper respiratory tract viral infection
(4) active allergies
(5) anatomic defects affecting the nares or sinuses (deviated nasal septum, other)
(6) nasal polyps
(7) dry cabin air (especially during a long flight)
(8) rapid and large change in cabin pressure (the increase in pressure during descent creates a relative vacuum in the sinuses)
An affected patient often has more than one risk factor.
Therapy targeting specific risk factors may be able to prevent an attack.
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