[Rhinosinusitis in children]

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Otolaryngology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Rhinosinusitis involves inflammation of the nasal and sinusal mucosa in children.
• Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective management and preventing complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline diagnostic criteria for acute and chronic rhinosinusitis in children.
• To detail appropriate treatment strategies for pediatric rhinosinusitis.

Main Methods:

• Diagnosis of acute rhinosinusitis based on symptom duration (7-10 days) of febrile upper respiratory tract infection.
• Diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis relies on endonasal examination.
• Tomodensitometry (CT scan) indicated for specific complications or anatomical assessment.

Main Results:

• Radiological, microbiological tests, and blood work are generally unnecessary for acute rhinosinusitis diagnosis.
• Treatment for acute rhinosinusitis includes antipyretics, anti-inflammatories, nasal treatments, and occasionally oral or parenteral antibiotics for severe cases like acute ethmoiditis.
• Chronic rhinosinusitis management involves intranasal treatments, intranasal corticosteroids for allergies/polyposis, with surgery being infrequent.

Conclusions:

• Acute rhinosinusitis in children is primarily a clinical diagnosis.
• Conservative management is effective for most pediatric rhinosinusitis cases.
• Advanced imaging and surgical intervention are reserved for specific, severe, or complicated presentations.