Acute Rhinosinusitis: Tailoring Treatment to Presentation – MM1706
Management of acute rhinosinusitis should be tailored to the presentation. A viral episode of ARS is generally present for fewer than 10 days. Bacteria are
generally thought to be the chief pathogen if symptoms persist beyond 10 days or worsen after five days. In children, inflammation of the adenoid pad can
mimic or cause rhinosinusitis. Important differential diagnoses of ARS include allergic rhinitis, dental disease, headache and facial pain syndromes. Patients
presenting with complications of rhinosinusitis require hospital admission and specialist consultation. Children should be assessed by an otolaryngologist
before CT scans are ordered.
Modern Medicine – June 2017
