Pathophysiology and Etiology of Pediatric Rhinosinusitis

Rhinosinusitis is a disease state that affects the nasal passages and the paranasal sinuses. During the initial 7 to 10 days of the disease process, acute rhinosinusitis is difficult to distinguish from a simple upper respiratory infection. Acute rhinosinusitis becomes evident when the signs and symptoms persist beyond 10 days. Chronic rhinosinusitis is a disease state that persists for longer than 12 weeks. Chronic rhinosinusitis may be exacerbated by acute rhinosinusitis (1). Rhinosinusitis can be further divided into a subacute form with duration of symptoms intermediate between acute and chronic disease (2). Clinically, rhinosinusitis is indistinguishable from rhinitis. Although isolated rhinitis may occur, isolated sinusitis is rare (1,3).