Recurrent Acute Rhinosinusitis

Excerpt

Sinusitis, or rhinosinusitis, is the symptomatic inflammation of the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity mucosa. This inflammation may be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, and allergens, often occurring in combination or sequentially. The Rhinosinusitis Task Force established diagnostic criteria in 1997, categorizing symptoms into major and minor criteria. The diagnosis of sinusitis requires the presence of either 2 major factors or 1 major and 2 minor factors. The diagnostic criteria are as follows:

Major

1. Purulence on nasal examination

2. Nasal obstruction/blockage

3. Nasal discharge/purulence/discolored postnasal drainage

4. Hyposmia/anosmia

5. Fever

6. Facial pain/pressure

7. Facial congestion/fullness

Minor

1. Ear pain/pressure/fullness

2. Cough

3. Dental pain

4. Fatigue

5. Halitosis

6. Fever

7. Headache

Rhinosinusitis can be classified according to the duration of symptoms. Acute rhinosinusitis lasts fewer than 4 weeks, while subacute sinusitis lasts between 4 and 12 weeks. Chronic sinusitis lasts more than 12 weeks. Recurrent acute rhinosinusitis (RARS) is defined as experiencing 4 or more episodes of acute rhinosinusitis per year, with each episode lasting at least 10 days and without persistent symptoms in between individual episodes. This activity will focus primarily on RARS and detail patient presentation, diagnosis, and intervention.