Sinusitis in HIV-infected patients: a clinical and radiographic review.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the clinical, radiographic, and laboratory features of sinus disease in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals.


METHODS
Seventy-two patients with a history of sinusitis identified from 1,461 consecutive admissions (667 patients) to the HIV ward at The Johns Hopkins Hospital.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review.


METHODS
The Johns Hopkins Hospital.


RESULTS
Sinusitis was identified in 72 HIV-infected patients, predominantly individuals with a CD4 cell count of less than 200/mm3. A history of respiratory infections such as bacterial pneumonia, bronchitis, and otitis media was common. Although nasal congestion and postnasal drainage were found in the majority of patients, symptoms of sinusitis were often nonspecific and the diagnosis was incidental in 28 patients (33%). Magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography was significantly more sensitive than plain radiography (p less than 0.001) in defining the extent of the disease, particularly with posterior sinus involvement, which occurred in the majority of the patients. The number of radiologically abnormal sinuses correlated inversely with the CD4 count. Although the majority of patients responded at least partially to antibiotic therapy, only 15% had complete resolution of clinical symptoms. Fifty-eight percent of patients had clinical and/or radiographic evidence of recurrent/persistent sinus infection, and chronicity correlated with a CD4 count less than 200/mm3 (p less than 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Sinusitis in HIV-infected patients is common, severe, and difficult to treat. Patients with CD4 counts less than 200/mm3 are prone to disease involving multiple sinuses that responds incompletely to antibiotic therapy, often resulting in chronic sinusitis. Unlike the immunocompetent host, the majority of the HIV-infected patients with advanced immunodeficiency develop posterior sinus disease.
Godofsky
E W
EW
Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205-2196.
Zinreich
J
J
Armstrong
M
M
Leslie
J M
JM
Weikel
C S
CS
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome