The role of allergy in chronic rhinosinusitis.

Issues surrounding the cause and pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) remain controversial. Various models involving physiologic factors and anatomic obstruction have been offered to explain the pathogenesis of this common disease. More recently, the role of chronic inflammatory processes has been demonstrated. These findings may modify the current paradigm of this disease and transform the diagnosis and management of patients with CRS. This review focuses on the role of allergy and inflammation in the pathogenesis of CRS.