Chronic sinusitis : clinical and pathophysiological aspects. Discussion

Sinusitis can bedefinedas inflammation of the paranasal sinus mucosa. However, the definition of chronic sinusitis is not yet fully established. As chronic sinusitis occurs both on an infectious and non-infectious basis there are many symptoms, local as well as general, from the upper respiratory tract. It is generally agreed that the time aspect of the disease is important. Long-term symptoms, i.e. more than 3 months, and objective findings of mucosal inflammation are criteria for chronic sinusitis. In clinical practice it is also important to realize that mucosal changes usually persist for at least 8 weeks after the treatment of an acute infection