Abstract

Background: Sinusitis, defined as inflammation of one or more of the paranasal sinuses,
is characterized as acute when lasting less than 4 weeks, subacute when lasting 4 to 8
weeks, and chronic when lasting longer than 8 weeks. Recurrent sinusitis consists of 3
or more episodes of acute sinusitis per year. A noninfectious form of chronic sinusitis is
termed chronic hyperplastic eosinophilic sinusitis. Viral upper respiratory tract
infections frequently precede subsequent bacterial invasion of the sinuses by
Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. These
organisms can also be found in chronic sinusitis, as well as Staphylococcus aureus,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and certain anaerobes. Fungi are being recognized
increasingly as a factor in chronic sinusitis, particularly in the southeast and southwest
parts of the countryDespite the prevalence of the disease there has been relatively few
studies on the etiological factors and various management options in sinusitis suggesting
the need to take up this study. Objectives: To study the etiological factors involved in
acute and chronic sinusitis. To study the effectiveness of conservative management in
sinusitis. To study the effectiveness of surgical procedures performed in the
management of chronic sinusitis.