This guideline is intended for use by clinicians who treat children and adolescents in a variety of clinical settings including the office and emergency department. The purpose of the guideline is to encourage accurate diagnosis of bacterial sinusitis, appropriate use of imaging procedures, and judicious use of antibiotics.
DEFINITIONS
Acute bacterial sinusitis: Bacterial infection of the paranasal sinuses lasting less than 30 days in which symptoms resolve completely.
Subacute bacterial sinusitis: Bacterial infection of the paranasal sinuses lasting between 30 and 90 days in which symptoms resolve completely.
Recurrent acute bacterial sinusitis: Episodes of bacterial infection of the paranasal sinuses, each lasting less than 30 days and separated by intervals of at least 10 days during which the patient is asymptomatic.
Chronic sinusitis: Episodes of inflammation of the paranasal sinuses lasting more than 90 days. Patients have persistent residual respiratory symptoms such as cough, rhinorrhea, or nasal obstruction.
Acute bacterial sinusitis superimposed on chronic sinusitis: Patients with residual respiratory symptoms develop new respiratory symptoms. When treated with antimicrobials, these new symptoms resolve, but the underlying residual symptoms do not.