Sinusitis in status asthmaticus

The relationship between sinusitis and status asthmaticus (SA) remains obscure. The purposes of this study were to determine the prevalence of abnormal sinus radiographs (SXRs) and investigate possible risk factors among unselected children admitted with SA. Eighty-eight patients over 2 years of age (range 2 to 16 years) consecutively admitted with SA were studied. The principal investigator, blinded to SXR findings, interviewed and examined the patients with respect to 10 physical parameters and 14 historical parameters. Two staff radiologists, blinded to the clinical findings, interpreted the SXRs. Relationship of historical and physical findings with positive SXRs was determined by statistical analysis. Twenty-seven percent of patients were found to have abnormal SXRs, manifesting two thirds or greater opacification of the sinuses. The mean age, sex, and race of patients with abnormal SXRs was not significantly different from those with normal films. A history of two or more admissions per year for SA, and, in children under 5 years of age, a history of chronic otitis media, and the physical finding of otitis media were significantly more frequent among patients with abnormal SXRs. Although not found to be statistically significant, a history of sinusitis and cough occurred more frequently in association with abnormal SXRs.