Management and Outcome of Rhinosinusitis in Nigeria

The aim of this study is to present the management and outcome of treatment of rhinosinusitis in Nigeria.

A retrospective review of the case notes of patients with rhinosinusitis between January 2009 and December 2014.

Study at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, using retrieved case notes after ethical approval was received.

The information retrieved included sociodemographic data, clinical presentation, duration, endoscopic examination, and other clinical management protocols with follow-up. All information was entered into SPSS version 20 and analyzed descriptively, and results are presented in tables and figure.

A total of 5618 patients were seen in the ear, nose, and throat clinic over the 6-year period. Of the patients, 445 had rhinosinusitis, and only 410 had complete data for analysis. Patient age ranged from 2 to 75 years (mean ± SD, 31.8 ± 1.2 years). The male to female ratio was 1.2:1. The duration of symptoms varied from 3 days to 10 years, with 78.7% having symptoms between 3 and 120 months. About 82.4% had nasal discharge, 51.3% had sneezing, 78.9% had alternating nasal obstruction, and 49.3% had nasal itch. Of the patients, 61.4% had a predisposition, of which 30.9% were allergic, 23.3% were infective, and 7.2% were vasomotor. Ethmoidal-maxillary sinuses were commonly affected radiologically. About 63% of patients had medical treatment, and only 28.7% had surgical intervention, of which 37% were scheduled for surgical treatment and 7.3% refused. Improved symptoms were noticed in 72.6% of patients, and 1.4% reported no improvement.

Rhinosinusitis is still common, affecting active males economically with more chronic cases and more allergic predisposition. Early medical management is still effective, and endoscopic sinus surgery is now a better surgical option with better outcome in 72.6%.