Rhinosinusitis and Otitis Media: The Link with Adenoids

Abstract

Rhinosinusitis and otitis media are very common diseases observed in pediatric patients. A clear association has been reported in literature between these two conditions. Even concordance in the microbiologic findings has been reported. These findings lead to a discussion in regard of a possible relationship between the two diseases and an eventual interference of another concomitant condition promoting this association. A key role in the linkage between rhinosinusitis and otitis media has been attributed to hypertrophic adenoidal tissue because of its mechanical obstruction of both choanae and Eustachian tube orifices. Recently some works in literature evidenced the presence of bacterial biofilms on adenoids and suggested a responsibility of bacterial biofilms in both chronic rhinosinusitis and otitis media. The debate is still active and more investigations are needed to clarify these topics.