[Acute rhinosinusitis in children requiring hospitalization between 2016 and 2022 - retrospective analysis].

Introduction: Rhinosinusitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nasal and paranasal sinuses with discharge and swelling. Hospitalisation may be necessary especially in complicated cases of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis. Objective: Our aims were a retrospective analysis of the pediatric cases hospitalized with acute rhinosinusitis in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery of the University of Szeged and the determination of whether the COVID–19 epidemic had an influence on the proportion of cases requiring admission. Method: Demographic and clinical data were collected. The results were analyzed and compared to the literature data. Results: Out of 497 children, 26 children, 17 boys and 9 girls were hospitalized (1 person 2 times). Average age was 7.65 years. 52% of the admissions happened in the three winter months, 89% were made in the period from November to April. The diagnosis was acute ethmoiditis in 19 cases, acute maxillary sinusitis in 5 cases, acute pansinusitis in 2 cases, and acute sphenoiditis in 1 case. Hospitalization was due to eyelid oedema in 19 children, in 7 cases therapy-resistant progression, and in 1 patient intracranial complication. Average duration of hospitalization was 4.2 days. Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and cefuroxime were administered intravenously in 16 and 11 cases, respectively. In 9 cases (8 orbital, 1 intracranial complication), surgery was needed. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery was performed in all patients. In 2 cases (orbital abscess), external opening was also necessary, and neurosurgical operation was performed for the intracranial complication. Discussion: The examined parameters correlated with the literature data, we did not find any change in the number of cases due to the COVID–19 epidemic. Conclusion: Acute rhinosinusitis can usually be treated with conservative therapy, but serious, life-threatening complications may occur. Although the number of cases requiring hospitalization has decreased, the rate of complications has not changed. Orv Hetil. 2024; 165(19): 747–753.