Retrospective analysis of chronic rhinosinusitis in patients with cystic fibrosis.
BACKGROUND
Chronic rhinosinusitis is very common in patients with cystic fibrosis. This can be explained by the unified airway concept, where the same pathophysiological phenomenon that affects the lungs, affects the paranasal sinuses. The management of these cases is difficult.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the teamwork of otolaryngologists and bronchopulmonary specialists in patients with cystic fibrosis.


METHODS
We performed a descriptive, retrospective study over the last 17 years, which included 14 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and cystic fibrosis attended at a private hospital.


RESULTS
Of the patients, 64% were male and the median age was 23 years. The most frequent mutations found were ΔF508, M470 and R553. All of the patients with ΔF508 mutation had nasal polyps. 100% of the patients had clinical findings of chronic rhinosinusitis. All the patients had had endoscopic nasal surgery. The median number of endoscopic surgeries was 2.


CONCLUSIONS
Given the high prevalence of chronic rhinosinusitis in patients with cystic fibrosis, everyone should have a computed tomography scan of the paranasal sinuses during the initial assessment, considering that sinus germs are the ones that colonise the lower airway. The otolaryngologist should be part of the cystic fibrosis team. Before receiving a lung transplant or in cases of chronic headache, endoscopic surgery should be performed in patients in whom medical treatment fails to clear the sinuses because this infection is the one that colonises the lower airway.
Departamento de Otorrinolaringología, Clínica Las Condes, Santiago, Chile.
Catalina
C
Gutiérrez
Gloria
G
Ribalta
Isabel
I
Largo
D000328:Adult; D002713:Chlorine / Q000032:analysis; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000209:etiology*; D017384:Sequence Deletion; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D013542:Sweat / Q000737:chemistry; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult
C505032:CFTR protein, human; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator; D002713:Chlorine