BACKGROUND: A prolonged course of antibiotic therapy is often initiated for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) based on symptomatology. We examined differences in clinical manifestations and underlying conditions in patients with symptoms typical for CRS. CT scan abnormality of the sinuses was the gold standard for diagnosis of CRS. METHODS: We performed a prospective observational study of 125 adults with classic symptoms of CRS undergoing nasal endoscopy and sinus CT. RESULTS: The patients were classified into 2 groups: (1) those with radiographic evidence of sinusitis by CT (Sx + CT) (75) and (2) those with normal CT scans of the sinus (Sx - CT) (50). Decreased smell was significantly more common in Sx + CT than in Sx - CT patients, (P = .003). Paradoxically, headache, facial pain, and sleep disturbance occurred significantly more frequently in patients with Sx - CT than in patients with Sx + CT (P < .05). The absence of mucopurulence on endoscopy proved to be highly specific for Sx - CT patients (100%). On the other hand, sensitivity was low; only 24% of Sx + CT patients demonstrated mucopurulence by endoscopy. Improvement in response to antibiotics was similar between both CRS categories. CONCLUSIONS: Most symptoms considered to be typical for CRS proved to be nonspecific. Interestingly, symptoms that were more severe were significantly more likely to occur in younger patients who were Sx - CT. The efficacy of antibiotic therapy was uncertain. We suggest that objective evidence of mucopurulence assessed by endoscopy or CT should be obtained if antibiotics are to be given for prolonged duration. We recommend a moratorium for the widespread practice of a prolonged course of empiric antibiotics in patients with presumed CRS.
BACKGROUND: A prolonged course of antibiotic therapy is often initiated for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) based on symptomatology. We examined differences in clinical manifestations and underlying conditions in patients with symptoms typical for CRS. CT scan abnormality of the sinuses was the gold standard for diagnosis of CRS. METHODS: We performed a prospective observational study of 125 adults with classic symptoms of CRS undergoing nasal endoscopy and sinus CT. RESULTS: The patients were classified into 2 groups: (1) those with radiographic evidence of sinusitis by CT (Sx + CT) (75) and (2) those with normal CT scans of the sinus (Sx - CT) (50). Decreased smell was significantly more common in Sx + CT than in Sx - CTpatients, (P = .003). Paradoxically, headache, facial pain, and sleep disturbance occurred significantly more frequently in patients with Sx - CT than in patients with Sx + CT (P < .05). The absence of mucopurulence on endoscopy proved to be highly specific for Sx - CTpatients (100%). On the other hand, sensitivity was low; only 24% of Sx + CT patients demonstrated mucopurulence by endoscopy. Improvement in response to antibiotics was similar between both CRS categories. CONCLUSIONS: Most symptoms considered to be typical for CRS proved to be nonspecific. Interestingly, symptoms that were more severe were significantly more likely to occur in younger patients who were Sx - CT. The efficacy of antibiotic therapy was uncertain. We suggest that objective evidence of mucopurulence assessed by endoscopy or CT should be obtained if antibiotics are to be given for prolonged duration. We recommend a moratorium for the widespread practice of a prolonged course of empiric antibiotics in patients with presumed CRS.
Authors: Sarah J Novis; Sarah R Akkina; Shana Lynn; Hayley E Kern; Nahid R Keshavarzi; Melissa A Pynnonen Journal: Int Forum Allergy Rhinol Date: 2016-01-11 Impact factor: 3.858
Authors: Opeyemi O Daramola; Alcina K Lidder; Ramiza Ramli; Rakesh K Chandra; Stephanie Shintani-Smith; David B Conley; Robert C Kern; Bruce K Tan Journal: Laryngoscope Date: 2014-10-24 Impact factor: 3.325
Authors: Nitin V Deosthale; Sonali P Khadakkar; Vivek V Harkare; Priti R Dhoke; Kanchan S Dhote; Asha Jadia Soni; Ashwini B Katke Journal: Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg Date: 2017-10-17
Authors: Sweta S Lohiya; Seema V Patel; Apurva M Pawde; Bhagyashree D Bokare; Prafulla T Sakhare Journal: Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg Date: 2015-09-23
Authors: Stephanie Shintani Smith; Charlesnika T Evans; Bruce K Tan; Rakesh K Chandra; Sean B Smith; Robert C Kern Journal: J Allergy Clin Immunol Date: 2013-08-26 Impact factor: 10.793
Authors: Wayne D Hsueh; David B Conley; Haena Kim; Stephanie Shintani-Smith; Rakesh K Chandra; Robert C Kern; Bruce K Tan Journal: Int Forum Allergy Rhinol Date: 2012-11-05 Impact factor: 3.858
Authors: Stephanie Shintani Smith; Robert C Kern; Rakesh K Chandra; Bruce K Tan; Charlesnika T Evans Journal: Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg Date: 2013-03-05 Impact factor: 3.497