Animal models of sinusitis: relevance to human disease.

Experimental animal models are necessary to assess the efficacy of both medical and surgical procedures. The researcher who wishes to confirm and publish his results must overcome controversies concerning the validity of his model and, therefore, needs guidelines for standardization. Various models are offered in the literature. In this article, the rabbit and murine models of experimental sinusitis and their relevance to human disease with anatomical, histopathologic, and microbiologic aspects are discussed.