Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection in Rhinosinusitis Patients

Abstract

Purpose. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is as an uncommon cause of chronic rhinosinusitis. Pseudomonas aeruginosa rhinosinusitis has been noted in patients with nosocomial infection, immunocompromised patients and patients with cystic fibrosis. In this study, we investigated the clinical features of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in rhinosinusitis patients. Methods. We retrospectively studied bacterial cultures obtained from 580 rhinosinusitis patients from January 1999 to December 2001. The files of patients whose cultures grew Pseudomonas aeruginosa were reviewed. Results. The bacteriologic cultures showed Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in 34 patients (5.9%). Concurrent nasal diseases in these patients included allergic rhinitis (14 patients), deviation of nasal septum (5 patients), atrophic rhinitis (3 patients) and chronic hypertrophic rhinitis (3 patients). Fifteen patients had a history of sinus surgery. All patients except for one underwent antibiotic treatment according to a drug sensitivity test, and 8 patients required subsequent functional endoscopic sinus surgery. During follow-up, the condition of 4 patients did not improve and rhinosinusitis recurred in 20 patients. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was cultured again in 3 patients with recurrent rhinosinusitis. conclusions. This study indicates that patients with a history of sinus surgery are at risk of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Long-term continuous care is needed to treat patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa rhinosinusitis.