title: Management of chronic rhinosinusitis in CF.
abstract: Routine CF management often does not include upper airway (UAW) assessment although CFTR defects equally affect the sinonasal mucosa. Up to 50% of CF patients have chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and/or nasal polyps, and almost 100% reveal UAW abnormalities on CT scan. CRS impairs quality of life. UAW dysfunction in filtering, humidifying, and warming inspired air affects lower airways and the UAW is a potential site of first colonization and a reservoir for opportunistic bacteria. Therefore, UAW pathology substantially affects overall health in CF. Standard treatments are scarce and mostly lack evidence. Nasal douche can remove mucus and crusts. Recently, delivery of dornase alfa using a vibrating aerosol has shown potential as treatment for CF-related CRS. Surgery is indicated when conservative approaches fail but postoperative relapse is frequent. In summary, upper airway involvement in CF is undertreated and requires prospective investigation and an interdisciplinary consensus on diagnosis and therapy.
authors.affiliation: Cystic Fibrosis Centre, Department of Paediatrics Friedrich-Schiller University of Jena, University Hospital of Jena, D-07740 Jena, Germany. Jochen.Mainz@med.uni-jena.de
authors.forename: Jochen G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Mainz
authors.forename: Assen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koitschev
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications*; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005100:Expectorants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D001239:Inhalation; D014663:Nasal Decongestants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013256:Steroids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D005100:Expectorants; D014663:Nasal Decongestants; D013256:Steroids; D012965:Sodium Chloride; C085693:DNASE1 protein, human; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I