Chronic rhinosinusitis: an update on current pharmacotherapy.
BACKGROUND
Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is an inflammatory disease of the nasal and paranasal mucosa with great impact on quality of life and a large financial burden on society. This article provides an overview of its current and future pharmacotherapy, the mainstay of CRS treatment.


METHODS
This article reviews the etiology, antibiotic and corticosteroid treatment, nasal irrigation therapy, bacterial lysates, anti-immunoglobulin E and anti-interleukin-5 therapy of CRS. This review highlights articles of interest on these topics in the PubMed database. Studies not in English language were excluded.


CONCLUSIONS
CRS is a spectrum of disease characterized by mucosal inflammation. Defining its various subtypes will change its medical treatment from general anti-inflammatory medicine towards tailor-made pharmacotherapy. The optimal timing of endoscopic sinus surgery in this treatment process remains to be defined.
Academic Medical Center, Department of Otorhinolaryngology , Meibergdreef 9, Postbus 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam , The Netherlands +31 6 55 370 202 ; +31 206 913 850 ; G.F.Adriaensen@amc.uva.nl ; Gwijde@gmail.com.
Gwijde F J P M
GF
Adriaensen
Wytske J
WJ
Fokkens
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D055556:Nasal Lavage; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents