Submit Manuscript | http://medcraveonline.com their quality of life [3]. Hence, the fact remains that some children, who do not respond to medical treatment, will be referred to the Otorhinolaryngologist, who, in turn, faces the problem of what to recommend. Part of the problem is lying upon the discrepancy in opinions between Otorhinolaryngologist and Pediatricians, regarding the indications for sinus surgery, especially in chronic cases, which can be frequently, summarized in the quote “in chronic sinusitis every effort should be made to avoid operative procedures” [4]. This discrepancy necessitates the least possible variance in the proposed treatment plan by the Otolaryngologist, and his/her adherence to the principles of evidence-based medicine in this domain also, disregarding any dogmatic views. With regard to acute rhinosinusitis, endoscopic sinus surgery is usually reserved for the management of pending or existing complications. Osteomyelitis of the anterior frontal plate (Pott’s puffy tumour) represents such a condition, and should be managed in the majority of cases with an endoscopic frontal sinusotomy (Draf 2a). The procedure should include uncinectomy and middle meatal antrostomy, and complete anterior and posterior ethmoidectomy using the lamina papyracea and skull base as landmarks. The agger nasi as well as any frontal sinus cells obstructing the frontal recess should also be removed [5]. Neurosurgical intervention for the drainage of a co-existing intracranial abscess should be performed in the same session as the endoscopic nasal drainage, when possible [5]. Orbital complications represent the most frequently encountered complications of acute rhinosinusitis, appearing approximately twice as often as the intracranial ones, and followed by osseous involvement (osteomyelitis) [6]. Surgical intervention, preferably endoscopic, is advocated in cases of documented subperiosteal or intraorbital abscess, reduced visual acuity or color vision, affected afferent pupillary reflex or inability to assess the child’s vision. In addition, progressing or not improving orbital signs (diplopia, ophthalmoplegia, proptosis, swelling and chemosis) after 48 hours of intravenous antibiotics, or even progressing or not improving general condition of the child during the same time period also represent indications for prompt surgical exploration and drainage [6]. The procedure usually includes uncinectomy and middle meatal antrostomy, and anterior ethmoidectomy. Skeletonization of the lamina papyracea following probing, and drainage of the subperiosteal or intraorbital pus collection are also required in case of respective abscess formation. By contrast, surgical drainage could be withheld in children aged between 2-4 years old or less with small (< 0.5-1 ml in volume) medially located subperiosteal abscess, demonstrating clear clinical improvement within 24-48 hours of intravenous antibiotics, no decrease in visual acuity, and no significant systemic involvement [7]. As far as chronic rhinosinusitis is concerned, it has become clear in the modern era of endoscopy and imaging that rhinitis and adenoid hypertrophy are not the only reasons of a runny nose in children, as in the majority of cases the sinuses are involved as well. Hence, chronic rhinosinusitis may often be overlooked. Irrespective of difficulties in diagnosis associated with the variability in the clinical presentation of chronic pediatric rhinosinusitis, and/or the frequent inability of children to reliably describe their exact symptoms, chronic rhinosinusitis may have a serious impact on children’s quality of life, and their respective health status.
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