Highlights & Basics
- Chronic rhinosinusitis is inflammation of the paranasal sinuses lasting more than 12 weeks.
- Diagnosis is initially clinical. Nasal endoscopy may show inflammation, purulent discharge, edema, or frank polyps.
- Initial medical treatment includes nasal saline irrigation and topical intranasal corticosteroids. Oral antibiotics, oral corticosteroids, antihistamines, and leukotriene receptor antagonists may also be considered.
- Computed tomography is needed if initial medical treatment fails.
- Functional endoscopic sinus surgery is very effective for patients unresponsive to medical treatment.
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Definition
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Citations
Rosenfeld RM, Piccirillo JF, Chandrasekhar SS, et al. Clinical practice guideline (update): adult sinusitis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015 Apr;152(2 Suppl):S1-S39.[Abstract][Full Text]
Peters AT, Spector S, Hsu J, et al. Diagnosis and management of rhinosinusitis: a practice parameter update. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2014 Oct;113(4):347-85.[Abstract]
Fokkens WJ, Lund VJ, Hopkins C, et al. European Position Paper on rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps 2020. Rhinology. 2020 Feb 20;58(suppl s29):1-464.[Abstract]
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21. Peters AT, Spector S, Hsu J, et al. Diagnosis and management of rhinosinusitis: a practice parameter update. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2014 Oct;113(4):347-85.[Abstract]
22. Bhattacharyya N, Fried MP. The accuracy of computed tomography in the diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis. Laryngoscope. 2003 Jan;113(1):125-9.[Abstract]
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29. Fokkens WJ, Lund VJ, Hopkins C, et al. European Position Paper on rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps 2020. Rhinology. 2020 Feb 20;58(suppl s29):1-464.[Abstract]
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31. Chong LY, Head K, Hopkins C, et al. Intranasal steroids versus placebo or no intervention for chronic rhinosinusitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Apr 26;(4):CD011996.[Abstract][Full Text]
32. Chong LY, Head K, Hopkins C, et al. Different types of intranasal steroids for chronic rhinosinusitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Apr 26;(4):CD011993.[Abstract][Full Text]
33. Wang C, Lou H, Wang X, et al. Effect of budesonide transnasal nebulization in patients with eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2015 Apr;135(4):922-29.[Abstract][Full Text]
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35. Chong LY, Head K, Hopkins C, et al. Saline irrigation for chronic rhinosinusitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Apr 26;(4):CD011995.[Abstract][Full Text]
36. Soler ZM, Oyer SL, Kern RC, et al. Antimicrobials and chronic rhinosinusitis with or without polyposis in adults: an evidenced-based review with recommendations. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2013 Jan;3(1):31-47.[Abstract]
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38. US Food and Drug Administration. Fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs: drug safety communication - FDA advises restricting use for certain uncomplicated infections. May 2016 [internet publication].[Full Text]
39. Steinke JW, Borish L. Leukotriene receptors in rhinitis and sinusitis. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2004 May;4(3):217-23.[Abstract]
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43. Mehta U, Huber TC, Sindwani R. Patient expectations and recovery following endoscopic sinus surgery. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2006 Mar;134(3):483-7.[Abstract]
44. Anne S, Mims JW, Tunkel DE, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline: Opioid Prescribing for Analgesia After Common Otolaryngology Operations. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2021 Apr;164(2_suppl):S1-S42.[Abstract][Full Text]
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46. Chester AC, Sindwani R, Smith TL, et al. Systematic review of change in bodily pain after sinus surgery. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2008 Dec;139(6):759-65.[Abstract]
47. Chester AC, Sindwani R, Smith TL, et al. Fatigue improvement following endoscopic sinus surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Laryngoscope. 2008 Apr;118(4):730-9.[Abstract]
48. European Medicines Agency. Pseudoephedrine-containing medicinal products - referral. Mar 2024 [internet publication].[Full Text]
49. Ebbens FA, Georgalas C, Luiten S, et al. The effect of topical amphotericin B on inflammatory markers in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis: a multicenter randomized controlled study. Laryngoscope. 2009 Feb;119(2):401-8.[Abstract]
50. Lim M, Citardi MJ, Leong JL.Topical antimicrobials in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis: a systematic review. Am J Rhinol. 2008 Jul-Aug;22(4):381-9. [Abstract]
51. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Balloon catheter dilation of paranasal sinus ostia for chronic sinusitis. September 2008 [internet publication].[Full Text]
52. Taghi AS, Khalil SS, Mace AD, et al. Balloon sinuplasty: balloon-catheter dilation of paranasal sinus ostia for chronic rhinosinusitis. Expert Rev Med Devices. 2009 Jul;6(4):377-82.[Abstract]
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54. Forwith KD, Chandra RK, Yun PT, et al. ADVANCE: a multisite trial of bioabsorbable steroid-eluting sinus implants. Laryngoscope. 2011 Nov;121(11):2473-80.[Abstract][Full Text]
55. Han JK, Forwith KD, Smith TL, et al. RESOLVE: a randomized, controlled, blinded study of bioabsorbable steroid-eluting sinus implants for in-office treatment of recurrent sinonasal polyposis. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2014 Nov;4(11):861-70.[Abstract][Full Text]
56. Smith TL, Singh A, Luong A, et al. Randomized controlled trial of a bioabsorbable steroid-releasing implant in the frontal sinus opening. Laryngoscope. 2016 Dec;126(12):2659-64.[Abstract][Full Text]
57. Dautremont JF, Mechor B, Rudmik L. The role of immediate postoperative systemic corticosteroids when utilizing a steroid-eluting spacer following sinus surgery. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014 Apr;150(4):689-95.[Abstract][Full Text]
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59. American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Position statement: drug-eluting sinus implants. Jan 2023 [internet publication].[Full Text]
60. Sindwani R, Han JK, Soteres DF, et al. NAVIGATE I: randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of the exhalation delivery system with fluticasone for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2019 Jan;33(1):69-82.[Abstract][Full Text]
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64. Parell GJ, Becker GD. Neurological consequences of scuba diving with chronic sinusitis. Laryngoscope. 2000 Aug;110(8):1358-60.[Abstract]
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