Unexplained fevers in patients with nasotracheal intubation
Knodel, A.R.; Beekman, J.F.
JAMA 248(7): 868-870
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0098-7484 PMID: 7097948 Document Number: 184084
Acute maxillary sinusitis developed in 3 critically ill patients whose conditions required mechanical ventilation. In all 3, fever was the initial clinical manifestation. An obtunded state and an inability to speak delayed localization of the site of infection. Prolonged intubation, simultaneous use of nasal gastric tubes, poor healing and large-diameter endotracheal tubes likely contributed to the disease pathogenesis. Acute maxillary sinusitis may be the cause of unexplained fevers in patients with nasotracheal intubation.