Antritis · Maxillary sinusitis · Genyantritis
Genyantritis (Maxillary Sinusitis): meaning, symptoms, causes and treatment
Genyantritis is an older and less commonly used English medical term for inflammation of the maxillary sinus — the air-filled sinus behind the cheek. In modern clinical language, clinicians usually call the condition maxillary sinusitis or, more broadly, sinusitis or rhinosinusitis.
The term is still useful to understand because people continue to search for “genyantritis”, “antritis”, “maxillary antritis” and “genyantrum”. This guide explains those terms using current medical terminology and evidence.
Genyantritis
Genyantritis means inflammation of the maxillary sinus. MedDRA recognises “Genyantritis” as a synonym under sinusitis/maxillary sinusitis.
Antritis
Antritis means inflammation of an antrum. In ENT terminology, acute antritis or maxillary antritis is used as a synonym for acute maxillary sinusitis.
Genyantrum
The genyantrum is the maxillary sinus, also historically called the antrum of Highmore — the paired air space within the upper jaw behind the cheeks.
Symptoms of maxillary sinusitis (genyantritis)
Sinusitis commonly follows a cold or flu. When the maxillary sinus is involved, symptoms can be felt particularly around the cheeks, upper jaw and nose.
- pain, pressure, swelling or tenderness around the cheeks, eyes or forehead;
- a blocked or runny nose;
- green or yellow nasal mucus;
- a reduced sense of smell;
- headache or facial pressure;
- toothache or aching in the upper teeth;
- a high temperature in some cases;
- bad breath, cough or a feeling of pressure in the ears.
Symptoms on only one side of the face, especially when persistent or recurrent, deserve medical assessment because dental disease or another local cause may be contributing.
Acute genyantritis / acute maxillary sinusitis
Acute sinusitis usually develops after an upper respiratory infection and commonly improves without antibiotics. NICE advises that the usual course is around 2 to 3 weeks. Viral infection is much more common than a bacterial cause.
Chronic maxillary sinusitis
Symptoms lasting for around 12 weeks or more fall into the chronic rhinosinusitis range. Persistent inflammation may be associated with allergy, nasal polyps, anatomical narrowing or other conditions and may require ENT assessment.
Recurrent sinusitis
Some people recover between episodes but experience repeated attacks. Recurrent or repeatedly one-sided sinusitis is a reason to discuss further assessment with a GP, pharmacist or ENT specialist.
Featured at Parkland Natural Health
A structured digestive wellbeing programme at our Holborn clinic
Parkland Natural Health is also a specialist colon hydrotherapy clinic. Visitors interested in our digestive wellbeing services can explore the Mini Detox PLUS programme below.
Mini Detox PLUS – 3 Colonics with Herbal & Probiotic Implants
Mini Detox PLUS is a structured three-session colonic irrigation course in Holborn, Central London. Each appointment uses closed-system, gravity-fed colon hydrotherapy with sodium bicarbonate, while the programme adds a different specialist component at each visit: an anti-parasite herbal implant, a liver and gallbladder herbal implant, and a high-strength probiotic implant.
Personal consultation and suitability screening are included. We usually arrange the three appointments over about one week, subject to suitability and availability. Book online and save 16%.
What causes genyantritis?
Most acute sinusitis develops after a viral upper respiratory infection. Swelling of the nasal and sinus lining can narrow drainage pathways, allowing mucus to collect and producing pressure and congestion.
- Viral respiratory infection: the most common setting for acute sinusitis.
- Bacterial infection: less common; more likely when symptoms persist beyond about 10 days without improvement, with severe localised one-sided pain, fever, purulent discharge, or worsening after an initial improvement.
- Dental infection or dental procedures: the roots of upper molars and premolars lie close to the maxillary sinus. Dental disease can therefore cause odontogenic maxillary sinusitis.
- Allergy and chronic inflammation: these can contribute to persistent swelling and poor sinus drainage.
- Nasal polyps or anatomical narrowing: these may contribute to chronic or recurrent sinus problems.
Cold weather or “hypothermia” is not itself an established direct cause of maxillary sinusitis, although respiratory infections are more common at certain times of year.
Dental causes of maxillary sinusitis
The maxillary sinuses sit immediately above the upper back teeth. In some people, the roots of the upper molars and premolars are separated from the sinus by only a thin layer of tissue. Infection around a tooth root, extraction complications, an oro-antral communication, dental implants or sinus-grafting procedures can therefore contribute to maxillary sinusitis.
Recent reviews describe odontogenic sinusitis as a distinct form of bacterial sinusitis. It often requires addressing both the dental source and the sinus disease. Persistent one-sided maxillary sinusitis, unpleasant smell, dental pain or symptoms following dental work are useful reasons to consider a dental source.
Examination and diagnosis
A clinician usually starts with the history and an examination of the nose and face. Clinicians can often diagnose acute uncomplicated sinusitis clinically without routine imaging.
For persistent, recurrent, severe or unusual symptoms, further assessment may include nasal endoscopy or CT imaging. The 2025 adult sinusitis guideline also emphasises appropriate use of imaging, endoscopy and testing for allergy or immune conditions when these could change management.
If maxillary sinusitis is repeatedly one-sided or a dental cause is suspected, dental assessment and review of the upper teeth may be important.
How is acute sinusitis treated?
Most acute sinusitis is self-limiting. NICE states that people with symptoms for around 10 days or less should not routinely be offered antibiotics and should be advised that the usual course is around 2 to 3 weeks.
Consider pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen when appropriate. For symptoms lasting around 10 days or more without improvement, a clinician may consider a high-dose nasal corticosteroid in adults and children aged 12 or over. NICE notes that some people may wish to try nasal saline or nasal decongestants, although evidence that these relieve congestion is limited.
Antibiotics are not routinely required. They are more likely to be considered when someone is systemically very unwell, at high risk of complications, or when the clinical pattern makes bacterial sinusitis more likely. A GP, pharmacist or other qualified prescriber should make that decision.
Chronic or recurrent sinusitis may require longer-term treatment of inflammation or allergy and, in selected cases, ENT procedures such as functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS).
When to seek urgent medical help
Seek urgent medical assessment if you are very unwell, symptoms worsen rapidly, pain is severe despite pain relief, or you are immunocompromised.
Hospital assessment is particularly important for possible complications around the eye or brain — for example, swelling or redness around the eye, a displaced eye, double vision, reduced vision, severe frontal headache, meningitis-type symptoms or new neurological signs.
Common questions about genyantritis and antritis
These questions reflect common search terms around genyantritis, antritis and maxillary sinusitis.
What does genyantritis mean?
Genyantritis is a synonym for inflammation of the maxillary sinus — in modern terminology, maxillary sinusitis. MedDRA lists Genyantritis as a current lower-level term under Sinusitis.
What is antritis?
Antritis means inflammation of an antrum. In ENT usage, acute antritis and maxillary antritis are synonyms for acute maxillary sinusitis. The word can be ambiguous outside ENT, so “maxillary sinusitis” is clearer.
What is the genyantrum?
Genyantrum is an anatomical synonym for the maxillary sinus or maxillary antrum — the air-filled cavity in the upper jaw behind the cheek.
Can sinusitis cause photophobia?
Light sensitivity is not one of the main diagnostic symptoms of uncomplicated sinusitis. It can accompany a severe headache, but marked photophobia — particularly with severe headache, neck stiffness, confusion or neurological symptoms — should prompt urgent medical assessment for other possible causes.
What does “rheum” in the nose mean?
“Rheum” is an old-fashioned word sometimes used for watery or mucous discharge from the nose or eyes. Modern medical descriptions usually use terms such as nasal discharge, mucus or rhinorrhoea.
When should chronic or recurrent sinusitis be referred?
NHS guidance advises GP review when symptoms do not improve after treatment, persist despite around 3 weeks of self-care, or keep returning. Persistent symptoms for around 3 months, recurrent episodes, or symptoms confined to one side of the face may lead to ENT referral.
Evidence and further reading
- NHS: Sinusitis (sinus infection)
- NICE NG79: Sinusitis (acute) — antimicrobial prescribing
- Clinical Practice Guideline: Adult Sinusitis Update (2025)
- NCBI MedGen: Acute maxillary sinusitis / acute antritis
- Sinusitis Management in Odontogenic Sinusitis (2024)
- MedDRA Supplemental Update: Genyantritis terminology
Parkland Natural Health · Holborn
Explore Parkland’s colon hydrotherapy treatments
Parkland Natural Health has provided professional, therapist-led colon hydrotherapy in Holborn since 2005, with standard sessions, probiotic and bicarbonate options, herbal implants and structured programmes.
4.9/5 based on 176 reviews