The role of nasal airway obstruction in sinus disease and facial development.

Allergic rhinitis in children is often complicated by bacterial sinusitis, which can lead to chronic illness and dysfunction. Sinus disease manifests differently in children than in adults, with cough, rhinorrhea, and middle ear disease being common and pain, headache, and fever being uncommon. Sinusitis may exacerbate asthma, and as many as 70% of children with allergy and chronic rhinitis have abnormal findings on sinus x-ray studies. Nasal cytologic specimens showing large numbers of polymorphonuclear cells with intracellular bacteria are also evidence of sinusitis. Obstruction of the nasal airways by allergic rhinitis or enlarged adenoids can lead to deviations in facial growth, specifically increased facial length. With the removal of the obstruction and a return to nasal breathing, facial length may become more normal. Sinusitis in children is treated with antibiotics, usually for 3 to 4 weeks, to eliminate the infection. Adjunctive therapy with antihistamines, decongestants, cromolyn, and corticosteroids may also be helpful. Topical steroids, such as flunisolide and beclomethasone, can be very useful in pediatric patients. These steroids decrease edema and prevent the release of allergic mediators that may be responsible for an environment favoring the bacterial infection causing sinusitis.