Background and purpose: Nocturnal worsening of respiration in patients with chronic sinusitis is most likely induced by creeping of mucus from the parasinuses down to the pharynx. The aim of this study was to document respiratory symptoms such as deglutition, wheezing and cough in patients with chronic sinusitis using long-term recording of respiratory sounds.
Patients and methods: According to the CORSA (computerized respiratory sound analysis) criteria, long-term recording of respiratory sounds was performed in 20 patients with chronic sinusitis.
Results: Wheezing was detected in 30%, (excessive) cough was found in 40%. Deglutition was measured with a frequency of ten per hour.
Conclusion: Long-term recording of respiratory sounds is a practical and noninvasive method for the documentation of clinical symptoms like wheezing, coughing and deglutition during sleep.