referral criteria from primary care - sinusitis

Last edited 10/2018

Red flag signs in acute rhinosinusitis warranting urgent ENT referral include:

  • frontal swelling
  • severe frontal headache (worse than patient has experienced before)
  • neurological signs
  • signs of meningitis on clinical examination
  • reduced level of consciousness
  • reduced visual acuity
  • double vision (diplopia)
  • periorbital oedema/erythema (cellulitis)
  • displaced globe
  • opthalmoplegia

Reference:

  1. Foden N, Burgess C, Shepherd K, Almeyda R. A guide to the management of acute rhinosinusitis in primary care management strategy based on best evidence and recent European guidelines. The British Journal of General Practice. 2013;63(616):611-613.  

Related pages:

management of acute sinusitis in primary care

sinusitis