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Published on: January 21, 2018
The clinical spectrum of rhinosinusitis in children
1Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Pathophysiology Unit, Istituti Clinici di Perfezionamento, Milan, Italy. gualtiero.leo@icp.mi.it
Insights
Rhinosinusitis, a common condition often missed in children, encompasses acute and chronic forms. Allergic fungal sinusitis is a key type to consider in children with nasal polyposis and atopy.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Allergy and Immunology
Background:
- Rhinosinusitis is a prevalent upper airway inflammatory condition.
- It presents across a spectrum, including acute rhinosinusitis (ARS) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).
- Associated conditions like nasal polyposis, asthma, and reflux can complicate rhinosinusitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To delineate the clinical spectrum of rhinosinusitis.
- To highlight the characteristics of different rhinosinusitis forms, including fungal types.
- To emphasize the importance of recognizing allergic fungal sinusitis in pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- Review of the clinical presentation and classification of rhinosinusitis.
- Description of associated disorders and specific fungal variants.
- Focus on diagnostic considerations for pediatric cases.
Main Results:
- Rhinosinusitis is common but often underreported, particularly in children.
- Chronic rhinosinusitis is defined by symptoms lasting over 12 weeks.
- Allergic fungal sinusitis is the most frequent fungal form, often linked to pediatric nasal polyposis and atopy.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the diverse presentations of rhinosinusitis is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
- Pediatric rhinosinusitis requires careful evaluation, especially when associated with comorbidities.
- Suspecting allergic fungal sinusitis is vital in children presenting with nasal polyposis and atopy.
Abstract:
Rhinosinusitis is an extremely common disease that is often underreported, especially in children. Its clinical spectrum includes acute rhinosinusitis (ARS) which may present in the forms of ARS with persistent symptoms and ARS with severe symptoms and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), characterized by a duration longer than 12 weeks and prevalence of symptoms such as nasal congestion and cough. Moreover, rhinosinusitis may present with associated disorders, that are nasal polyposis and aspirin sensitivity, asthma, otitis media with effusion, and gastroesophageal reflux. A particular form is fungal rhinosinusitis, presenting in an invasive and noninvasive form, the latter including allergic fungal sinusitis, which is the most common form of fungal rhinosinusitis and should be suspected in children with nasal polyposis and atopy.
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