Acute exacerbation of chronic maxillary sinusitis during therapy with nafarelin nasal spray

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of acute exacerbation of chronic bilateral maxillary sinusitis during therapy with nafarelin nasal spray for chronic pelvic pain and suspected adenomyosis uteri in a patient of 34 years. DESIGN: Case report. INTERVENTIONS: In the follicular stage of the cycle a diagnostic laparoscopy was carried out because of unexplained pelvic pain for 2 years with biopsy of the pelvic peritoneum and of the uterine fundus was done, revealing no pathology. One and a half years ago the patient already had a diagnostic laparoscopy for the same reason without pathological findings. Vaginal ultrasound showed minor signs of adenomyosis uteri (irregular structure of the myometrium with small cysts). One week after the operation, a therapy with nafarelin nasal spray was initiated in order to induce a hypoestrogenic state. Fourteen days later the therapy had to be stopped because of acute exacerbation of chronic maxillary sinusitis and Caldwell Luc operation and turbinoplastic was performed. OUTCOME: Resolution of the acute maxillary sinusitis after operative intervention and termination of the above-mentioned medication, resolution of pelvic pain after therapy with leuprolide after 4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first report of an acute exacerbation of a chronic maxillary sinusitis during the administration of nafarelin nasal spray. Gynecologists prescribing nasal sprays should ask their patients about symptoms of chronic sinusitis. Patients with a history of sinusitis should visit an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist before initiating therapy with nasal sprays; alternatively, drugs with a different formulation should be used for down-regulation of the ovarian function in order to avoid this complication.