Chronic rhinosinusitis in children: Review of the evaluation and current management

Abstract

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in children is the inflammation of the nasal and sinus mucosa, presenting symptoms such as obstruction, nasal discharge, pressure or facial pain and cough, which extends for more than 12 weeks. It represents a great burden for those affected, with high economic cost. Its diagnosis constitutes a challenge due to the overlap of symptoms with other upper respiratory infections and other non-infectious conditions. In recent years, new contributing factors have been elucidated, such as biofilms, microbiome dysfunction, and the growing role of noninfectious inflammatory mechanisms. Diagnosis depends on the recognition of characteristic symptoms and their duration. The imaging study of choice is computed tomography, especially in ca­ses of diagnostic doubt, lack of response to treatment or suspicion of complications. First-line treatment of is based on nasal irrigation, possible use of prolonged antibiotics and nasal corticosteroids. For refractory cases, surgical intervention is proposed, with adenoidectomy being the first choice, mainly in younger children; other interventions include endoscopic sinus surgery. New biological therapies are being studied based on noninfectious inflammatory mechanisms of CRS and its comorbidities such as asthma.