[Incidence of maxillary sinusitis in intensive care patients with nasal intubation--ultrasonic diagnosis as a screening test].

Acute maxillary sinusitis due to nasotracheal intubation during intensive care is seldom considered as a cause of fever of unknown origin. Forty six patients admitted to a post-operative intensive care unit had their maxillary sinuses examined using a mobile "A-scan" ultrasonic scanner. Follow-up examinations were performed regularly. As early as the 5th day of treatment 36 out of 46 patients who had undergone nasotracheal intubation showed pathological ultrasonic results. Bilateral involvement was most frequent. In unilateral findings at the first examination, the intubated side was three times as often affected as the other side. Early extubation, early partial mobilisation and/or early administration of antibiotics did not prevent the occurrence of pathological ultrasonic findings. Acute maxillary sinusitis must thus be considered a frequent complication of nasotracheal intubation.