[Nosocomial sinusitis in an intensive care unit. Role of nasotracheal intubation].

Hospital infectious sinusitis resulting from nasotracheal intubation is common. A prospective study was undertaken between October 1986 and January 1988 of 46 patients who had undergone nasotracheal intubation. CT scan revealed sinusitis in 43 cases with sinus puncture proving the existence of bacterial sinusitis in 36 cases. Gram negative bacilli predominated. In 21 cases the existence of a complication (chest infection and/or septicemia) raised the possibility of the role played by sinusitis in their etiology. The prevalence of gram negative bacilli sinusitis in patients with a nasotracheal tube is felt to require the following from the 8th day onwards: a CT scan to detect the existence of sinusitis, sinus puncture for bacteriological identification of the organism.