Allergic and inflammatory aspects of chronic rhinosinusitis.

The pathophysiology of rhinosinusitis is complex and poorly understood. Although it is recognized that obstruction of the sinus ostia which is surgically correctable contributes to recurrent bacterial sinusitis, allergic and nonallergic inflammation may contribute to or mimic infectious rhinosinusitis. Those aspects of rhinosinusitis which are not necessarily surgically correctable require consideration and may affect surgical prognosis. This article focuses on those considerations.