RHINOSINUSITIS IN CHILDREN

Abstract

Rhinosinusitis is an inflammatory disease of the nasal and sinusal mucosa. The diagnosis of an acute rhinosinusitis in a child is based on the persistence of the symptoms of a febrile upper respiratory tract infection for more than 7 to 10 days. Radiological and microbiological examinations, and blood tests are unnecessary. Treatment is based on anti-pyretic/anti inflammatory drugs associated with nasal treatment, and sometimes but not always oral antibiotics. Antibiotherapy is parenteral in case of acute ethmoïditis. Tomodensitometry is required to measure any intracranial or subperiostal intraorbital abcess and decide of a surgical intervention. Chronic rhinosinusitis is diagnosed on endonasal examination. Tomodensitometry verify the diagnosis but is also important to look for an anatomic abnormality. Treatment is based on intranasal treatments and, in case of allergy or polyposis, intranasal corticotherapy. Surgery is seldom required.