title: Evaluation and management of the patient with "sinus".
abstract: The patient with "sinus" is common. However, an accurate diagnosis for a patient's sinus complaints may be elusive. The diagnostic uncertainty with these patients is a result of nonspecific symptoms, subtle or absent physical examination findings, and limited diagnostic testing options. Rhinitis should be distinguished from sinusitis. In acute illness, viral upper respiratory tract infection should be distinguished from acute bacterial sinusitis. For patients with chronic sinus symptoms, objective evidence of paranasal sinus inflammation should be confirmed before labeling the patient with chronic sinusitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390-9035, USA. matthew.ryan@utsouthwestern.edu
authors.forename: Matthew W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Ryan
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods*; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents