title: Use of topical nasal therapies in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether the use of topical nasal therapies with saline alone and in combination with antibiotics, antifungals, or corticosteroids is effective in the treatment of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic literature search was performed utilizing the MEDLINE database (1966 to May 2012), EMBASE database (1980 to May 2012), and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials.
  
  
  METHODS
  Electronic databases were searched by three otolaryngologists. Studies on five major categories of topical nasal therapies searched included saline (hypotonic, isotonic and hypertonic); topical antibiotics, topical steroids, and topical antifungals were obtained. Randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials were included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen randomized controlled trials were identified examining topical saline (hypertonic or isotonic) in CRS patients. Two randomized controlled trials were found studying the effect of topical antibiotics in patients with CRS. Four randomized controlled trials were identified studying topical antifungal treatment for CRS. Twenty-five randomized controlled trials were found studying topical steroids in CRS patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A high aggregate quality of evidence supports the effectiveness of saline irrigations in treating CRS. There is insufficient evidence to support a clear benefit of topical antibiotics in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Topical antifungal therapies have not been shown to be significantly different in efficacy than saline controls on CRS outcomes. Topical steroids are beneficial in the treatment of CRS with nasal polyps, but have not been shown to be effective in CRS without nasal polyps.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Calvin C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Nithin D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Adappa
authors.forename: Noam A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019819:Budesonide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D059085:Nasal Sprays; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D059085:Nasal Sprays; D019819:Budesonide
keywords: Chronic rhinosinusitis; antibiotics; antifungals; antimicrobials; nasal irrigations; topical therapy