Chronic rhinosinusitis - 'it's my sinus doc!'.
BACKGROUND
Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common condition in the community, with significant morbidity and financial implications.


OBJECTIVE
This article outlines the diagnosis of adult CRS, the differential diagnoses, and appropriate investigations and management.


CONCLUSIONS
Rhinosinusitis is now the preferred term rather than sinusitis as this reflects the underlying pathophysiology. Patients with CRS have symptoms of at least 12 weeks duration with supporting examination and/or computerised tomography findings. Computerised tomography sinus scans should be considered in patients not responding to medical treatment or when the diagnosis is unclear. What constitutes maximal medical therapy is controversial and varied, but should include nasal saline irrigations, nasal corticosteroids and a course of antibiotics. Surgical treatment is reserved for patients not responding to medical treatment.
Brown
Christopher
C
Consultant ENT Surgeon, Melbourne Nasal and Sinus Clinic, East Melbourne, Victoria. chrisbrown.ent@gmail.com
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology