An immunological approach to chronic and recurrent sinusitis.
OBJECTIVE
Sinusitis is an illness that is often successfully treated by primary care physicians. Recurrent or chronic rhinosinusitis, however, can be frustrating for patients as well as primary care and subspecialty providers. The present review details the approach to recurrent or chronic sinusitis. We give a broad overview of the workup of chronic rhinosinusitis, focusing on immune deficiency, an often overlooked but clinically important aspect of the sinusitis workup.


RESULTS
Immune deficiency is prevalent in patients with recurrent or chronic sinus disease. An immunologic workup, as well as a workup for other chronic treatable diseases, should be undertaken before sinus surgery or in patients who have been unresponsive to surgery. This approach can enhance visualization during surgery, minimize postoperative complications, improve surgical outcomes, and possibly obviate the need for surgery altogether.


CONCLUSIONS
Elucidating the cause of recurrent or refractory sinus disease can be challenging. Allergic disease should be evaluated and treated early in the process. An immunologic evaluation should be performed and uncommon causes of sinus inflammation should be addressed later in the course to reduce inflammation either to avoid surgery or improve surgical outcomes.
Wise
Marshall T
MT
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
Hagaman
David D
DD
D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D007154:Immune System Diseases / Q000150:complications; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012008:Recurrence; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*
D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous