[The value of maxillary sinus irrigation in children with maxillary sinusitis using the Waters film]

Eighty children with chronic sinusitis receiving a conservative treatment were followed. They found that without any further therapy the Waters view of 30 children became normal. The usefulness of irrigation of the maxillary sinus was studied in the other 50 children. In one group of 25 children a sinus endoscopy and sinus irrigation was performed. In a control group of another 25 children no further treatment was performed. A comparison between the Waters view and sinus endoscopy is also included in the study. The authors found little difference in the treatment results in the two groups. Furthermore, when the Waters view is normal, then exists little chance of finding a pathological mucous membrane during sinus endoscopy. In doubt the clinical picture is most important. The control of the roentgenogram should be performed one month after the first one. Antroscopy is better for the diagnosis but in view of its traumatic aspect and the finding that it does not result in a better therapeutic response, the authors advise sinus irrigation only in problematic cases.