Acute maxillary sinusitis--a comparison between 27 different treatment modes.

When comparing the outcome of different treatment modes for acute maxillary sinusitis, the roentgenological examination can be recommended for the objective evaluation as a complement to the clinical examination. Using the occipito-mental projection and an additional occipito-mental side view, the diagnosis can be established in a cheap and simple way, and the treatment effect can be followed during the course of treatment in the form of radiological sinus changes. The treatment outcome of 27 different treatment modes in 1320 cases of acute maxillary sinusitis (2039 maxillary sinuses) was compared. There was little difference between the treatment groups as to therapeutic effect, whether using antral drainage alone, antibiotics alone or the combination of both. Factors other than treatment outcome must be important for the consideration of treatment choice, e.g. pharmacokinetics, administration, dosage, treatment cost, number and type of side effects, etc.