4
Diagnosis
Does the patient have nasal
obstruction and/or facial
pressure/pain/fullness?
Patient presents with
"sinus symptoms"
Figure 1. Diagnostic Algorithm for ARS
Duration ≤4
weeks
Does the patient have
purulent nasal drainage?
Not ARS:
Evaluate
for other
diagnosis
Does the patient have a
suspected possible
complication of ARS or
diagnosis is uncertain after
appropriate treatment?
Patient may need
radiographic
imaging to
evaluate further
No indication
for radiographic
imaging
Not ARS:
Evaluate
for other
diagnosis
NO YES
Diagnosis
is ARS
NO YES
NO YES
