Medical and surgical management of sinusitis in adults

Sinusitis may be caused by bacteria, viruses, or trauma and may appear in immunosuppressive settings. Acute sinusitis is most commonly diagnosed on the basis of pain and discharge; endoscopic or fiberoptic examination may be helpful in less obvious cases. Radiography can identify maxillary, frontal, and sphenoid sinusitis; transillumination can be used if radiography is undesirable. Culture and Gram stains may help determine the appropriate antibiotic therapy. Surgery may be necessary if the frontal or sphenoid sinus is involved, or if ethmoiditis is progressing to orbital cellulitis. In chronic sinusitis, endoscopic examination and computed tomographic scanning are useful for diagnosis. Chronic sinusitis may be associated with airway disease, aspirin allergy, and such diseases as cystic fibrosis. Antibiotic therapy that acts against anaerobes and beta-lactamase-producing organisms should be chosen. Surgical treatment includes intranasal and external ethmoidectomy, antrostomy, and, on occasion, obliteration of the involved cavity.