Acute sinusitis: diagnosis and treatment update.

Acute sinusitis in adults is manifested by fever, facial pain and purulent rhinorrhea, but children--who rarely have headache or facial tenderness--have persistent cough in addition to fever and purulent rhinorrhea. Sinus transillumination is diagnostically useful only in adults. In children, maxillary sinus radiographs are indicated. New studies show ultrasound examination to be less sensitive than plain radiographs. Cultures obtained by aspiration of the maxillary sinuses are useful in complicated cases. Amoxicillin is still effective as first-line treatment, but treatment failure requires a prompt change to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or ciprofloxacin. Nosocomial sinusitis requires coverage for gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Immunocompromised patients, including those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, require treatment for fungal organisms. Decongestants are of unproven value. Referral for irrigation and surgical drainage is indicated for recurrent or recalcitrant sinusitis. Flexible endoscopy allows visualization and debridement of diseased tissue in cases of chronic sinusitis.