[Rhinosinusal manifestations of cystic fibrosis]

The generalized disorders which characterize cystic fibrosis often involve the nose and paranasal sinuses and may frequently lead to the development of nasal polyps. A retrospective study of 78 patients with cystic fibrosis, 3 to 28 years old, was undertaken in order to determine the incidence of nasal involvement and to define an approach to the treatment of disabling recurrent nasal polyposis. 65% of these patients presented chronic symptoms such as rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction and disturbances of smell. Nasal polyps were found in 50% of patients and were more frequent in adults than in children. Clinical symptoms were directly related to the extent of polyp development which could be classified according to 3 groups. CT scans showed maxillary sinus involvement in almost all patients. The incidence and extent of ethmoidal sinus involvement on CT scans was correlated to the grade of polyp development. Medical treatment of polyposis failed in all cases. Polypectomy was always followed by recurrence. Intranasal ethmoidectomy seems to be an interesting alternative, since 73% of patients undergoing this procedure had clinical improvement.