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Otolaryngology (ENT)113 papers

Acute rhinosinusitis

Last edited: 4/15/2026

Overview

Acute rhinosinusitis is an inflammation of the nasal passages and paranasal sinuses lasting less than four weeks, often presenting with symptoms like nasal congestion, facial pain, and purulent discharge 1.

Diagnosis

  • Key Diagnostic Criteria: Symptoms lasting <4 weeks, presence of nasal congestion, facial pain/pressure, and purulent nasal discharge 1.
  • Recommended Tests: Avoid routine imaging (CT scans, plain film sinus x-rays) for uncomplicated cases 1.
  • Grading: Not explicitly detailed in provided abstracts.
  • Management

  • First-Line Treatments: Symptomatic relief with saline irrigation, decongestants (short-term use), and analgesics 1.
  • Adjunctive Treatments: Consider antibiotics only if symptoms persist beyond 7-10 days or if severe symptoms are present, favoring amoxicillin as first-line antibiotic 1.
  • Specific Drug Classes/Doses: No specific doses mentioned; amoxicillin is suggested as initial antibiotic choice 1.
  • Special Populations

  • Pediatrics: Molecular studies suggest similar bacterial strains in nasopharynx and lateral nasal wall, indicating potential origins of infection 2.
  • Comorbidities: No specific recommendations provided for comorbidities in the given abstracts 1.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Do not prescribe antibiotics for acute sinusitis without evidence of bacterial infection (Evidence: Strong 1).
  • Avoid ordering CT scans or plain film sinus x-rays for uncomplicated cases (Evidence: Strong 1).
  • Do not routinely swab the nasal cavity for workup (Evidence: Strong 1).
  • References

    1 Arnstead N, Chan Y, Kilty S, Ganeshathasan R, Rahmani A, Monteiro E. Choosing Wisely Canada rhinology recommendations. Journal of otolaryngology - head & neck surgery = Le Journal d'oto-rhino-laryngologie et de chirurgie cervico-faciale 2020. link 2 Bernstein JM, Dryja D, Murphy TF. Molecular typing of paired bacterial isolates from the adenoid and lateral wall of the nose in children undergoing adenoidectomy: implications in acute rhinosinusitis. Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2001. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Choosing Wisely Canada rhinology recommendations.Arnstead N, Chan Y, Kilty S, Ganeshathasan R, Rahmani A, Monteiro E Journal of otolaryngology - head & neck surgery = Le Journal d'oto-rhino-laryngologie et de chirurgie cervico-faciale (2020)
    2. [2]
      Molecular typing of paired bacterial isolates from the adenoid and lateral wall of the nose in children undergoing adenoidectomy: implications in acute rhinosinusitis.Bernstein JM, Dryja D, Murphy TF Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (2001)

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