Are frequent sinus infections normal in a TB patient?
Patient: Hi, I suffered a mild TBI several years ago. I was hit with a golf ball line drive in the forehead. CT scan showed sinusitis immediately after injury but no fractures. The radiologist originally thought it may be a CSF leak at first but ruled that out after a second opinion. Since then I have had chronic migraines, chronic sinus infections, in both the maxillary and sphenoid sinuses, chronic pain and insomnia. in Feb I was hospitalized in ICU due to a severe sphenoid infection and cellutis. Doctor on call said he had only seen my condition twice in 32 years and I would need emergency surgery. CTscan showed severely infected sphenoid but MRI did not show the same result so they opted not to do surgery and give me multiple rounds of IV antibiotics which tamped down the infection. The infection continues to come back so I have a sphenoid sinus surgery scheduled with septoplasty as well in a couple of weeks. Is it common for TBI patients to have this extent of sinus issues? Should I be worried the infection may be in the bone, which is why the CTscans (most current a few weeks ago) show the chronic infection but the MRI results do not.? Thanks Doctor: Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.  Tuberculosis may result in an immunocompromised state of the body. Your frequent relapses of sinus infection is chronic, continue to take the medications prescribed. No worries, after you have had your Septoplasty surgery & surgery for sphenoid sinus done, your situation will surely get better. You will be more comfortable after recovery.  Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Nupur K.