Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026
Symptom Assessment of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis Using an Allergen Exposure Chamber
Published on: March 3, 2023
The accuracy of symptom-based definition of chronic rhinosinusitis
R Tahamiler1, S Canakcioglu, S Ogreden
1Otorhinolaryngology Department, Cerrahpasa Medicine School, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Objective:
Currently, the diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a symptom-based definition. This study aims to study, verify and evaluate the predictive value of the symptom-based definition of CRS and compare this with objective tests.
Methods:
Seven hundred and sixty-eight adults, who were referred from primary care centers as patients who met the definition of CRS, were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into two groups according to their allergic status. The patients were subjected to nasal endoscopy and computed tomography (CT) on the same day.
Results:
The results showed 73.15% of the nonallergic patients with symptom-based diagnosed CRS and 65.34% of the allergic patients with symptom-based diagnosed CRS had no CT and endoscopic pathology (Endoscopic score 0 + CT score 0). Nasal discharge was the most common major symptom in all patients from both groups who had pathologic endoscopic and/or CT scan scores.
Conclusions:
It is well established that symptoms are very important in the diagnosis of CRS. However, two major symptoms are insufficient for diagnosis. Therefore, endoscopy and CT have important differential diagnostic roles. Our study showed that in patients with three major symptoms, CT pathology may be sufficient for definitive diagnosis. However, in patients with two major symptoms such as nasal discharge and/or low grade nasal polyposis, endoscopy becomes considerably more important due to inspective findings. If no endoscopic findings are found, the importance of the CT scans is increased.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Chronic Pharyngitis
Etiology
It often arises from persistent viral or bacterial infections affecting sinuses and tonsils.
Additional contributing factors include inadequate dental hygiene, mouth breathing, recurring tonsillitis, allergic rhinitis, laryngopharyngeal reflux, and exposure to smoke, chemicals, and other environmental pollutants. Allergic reactions to pollen, mold, and pet dander, chronic cough, excessive voice usage,...
01:24Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features
01:23Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction
01:19Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations
01:25Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
01:13Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations