Bacterial biofilms in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.

The possible presence of biofilms was examined in mucosal specimens of 15 patients, undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery or a modified Caldwell-Luc approach for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Biofilms were found in 7 of the 15 patients, positive cultures being obtained in most samples, which supports the role of biofilms as an important factor in the pathogenesis of CRS.