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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Are Headaches, Foul Smell, Draining And Bloodshot Eyes Normal After Septoplasty?

Hi there, about 2 weeks ago I had a Septoplasty along with a Turbinate Reduction. Since then I have had headaches both behind/between my eyes, a gross smell (sickly sweet), a lot of drainage, and as of right now my eyes are very bloodshot. I haven t taken any pain medication for at least a week...and am currently taking antibiotics..is all of this normal?
posted on Sun, 17 Aug 2014
Twitter Thu, 18 Sep 2014 Answered on
Twitter Thu, 18 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on
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ENT Specialist,  's  Response
Hi. All of this is not normal and an immediate ENT consultation or a visit to the hospital ER is indicated.

It appears that you have bilateral ethmoidal sinusitis as explained by the headache behind/between your eyes. The gross sticky smell is infected mucous from the sinuses. The bloodshot eyes is a worrisome sign and indicates spread of the infection from the ethmoidal sinuses (located between your eyes) into your orbital region around your eyes. This may progress further to effect your eye and vision if not evaluated soon. Only a thin papery layer of bone separates the eye from the ethmoidal sinuses so such a spread is not uncommon.

It seems to me that your antibiotics are not affecting the infection and you will require a different antibiotic based on the pus culture and sensitivity and a CT scan of the paranasal sinuses to rule out involvement of the eye. If there is breach into the orbital region then you may require an endoscopic sinus surgery to clear out the ethmoidal sinuses.

Do see an ENT specialist at the earliest or visit the hospital ER to have this evaluated or at least ruled out. Hope you have a speedy recovery. Do let me know how this turns out and if you need any further assistance.
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Are Headaches, Foul Smell, Draining And Bloodshot Eyes Normal After Septoplasty?

Hi. All of this is not normal and an immediate ENT consultation or a visit to the hospital ER is indicated. It appears that you have bilateral ethmoidal sinusitis as explained by the headache behind/between your eyes. The gross sticky smell is infected mucous from the sinuses. The bloodshot eyes is a worrisome sign and indicates spread of the infection from the ethmoidal sinuses (located between your eyes) into your orbital region around your eyes. This may progress further to effect your eye and vision if not evaluated soon. Only a thin papery layer of bone separates the eye from the ethmoidal sinuses so such a spread is not uncommon. It seems to me that your antibiotics are not affecting the infection and you will require a different antibiotic based on the pus culture and sensitivity and a CT scan of the paranasal sinuses to rule out involvement of the eye. If there is breach into the orbital region then you may require an endoscopic sinus surgery to clear out the ethmoidal sinuses. Do see an ENT specialist at the earliest or visit the hospital ER to have this evaluated or at least ruled out. Hope you have a speedy recovery. Do let me know how this turns out and if you need any further assistance.