[ENT diseases associated with allergic rhinitis: a review of the literature].

Various diseases of the upper airway, such as acute or chronic sinusitis, otitis media, pharyngitis or laryngitis, snoring and sleep apnea syndrom, may be associated with allergic rhinitis. The relationship between these pathologies and the allergic rhinitis has been well established from a clinical and epidemiological point of view, but the pathophysiological mechanisms remain uncertain. A good knowledge of symptoms and the performance of explorations, such as nasal endoscopy for sinusitis, are important in order to take care of these associated diseases. When upper airway diseases are associated with allergic rhinitis, treatment of rhinitis must generally be reinforced. Treament of associated disease will be specific to each disease, and sometimes surgery is required, specially in case of chronic sinusitis. In all cases, the pneumologist, allergologist and ENT physician should work in close collaboration.