Diagnostic Workup for Pediatric Rhinosinusitis

The workup and treatment of rhinosinusitis in children is usually multidisciplinary. Recent advances in endoscopy and imaging techniques and in pharmacotherapy continue to improve the overall well-being of children with sinus disease. Research to date has focused mostly on antimicrobial therapy, criteria for disease classification, and improved techniques in operative management in adults. Sinus disease in children differs significantly from that seen in adults. Children with sinus disease have multiple factors that influence the presentation and the progression of the disease and these factors may be congenital, immunologic, or environmental. In addition, the initial symptoms, clinical findings, and radiological manifestations are quite different in children than in adults.