Chronic sinusitis in children.

Chronic sinusitis is now recognized as a common clinical syndrome in adults and children. An astute physician can diagnose chronic sinusitis during the physical exam, but fiber-optic rhinoscopy and x-rays (plain films and computerized tomography) are required to confirm this diagnosis, evaluate the severity of the sinusitis and determine follow-up treatment. Appropriate treatment plans are prescribed for an adequate duration to eliminate infection and inflammatory components of the pathologic process of the sinuses involved. Antibiotics, decongestants, and inhaled or systemic corticosteroids are required in the treatment of patients with chronic sinusitis. When combined with close clinical follow-up, successful resolution is expected. Surgical intervention is needed in the medically refractory and symptomatic cases, or when complications develop. The frequent diagnosis of chronic sinusitis in the past 1-2 decades is, in part, due to the enhanced awareness and clinical skills of the treating physicians, but other concerns about environmental influences such as frequent respiratory tract infections in childhood and air quality issues are considered potentially important.