Sinusitis in adults.

Sinusitis in adults is being increasingly recognized as a common clinical entity. To protect against infection of the paranasal sinuses, patent ostia, mucous of the proper viscosity, and actively beating cilia are necessary. The superior placement of the maxillary ostia predisposes to maxillary sinusitis. A number of surgical procedures are available to treat chronic sinusitis that does not respond to appropriate medical therapy. The recently introduced technique of endoscopic surgery of the sinuses shows great promise. The association of sinusitis and bronchial asthma is well recognized, but causality is more difficult to prove. There is suggestive evidence in both children and adults that medical or surgical treatment of underlying sinusitis frequently improves the asthmatic state, but well-designed prospective studies are needed that control or measure relevant variables.