Diagnosis
Table 1. Conventional Criteria for the Diagnosis of Sinusitis Based on the Presence of at Least 2 "Major" or 1 "Major" and 2 or More "Minor" Symptoms
Major Symptoms > Purulent anterior nasal discharge
> Purulent or discolored posterior nasal discharge
> Nasal congestion or obstruction > Facial congestion or fullness > Facial pain or pressure > Hyposmia or anosmia
> Fever (for acute sinusitis only)
Minor Symptoms > Headache
> Ear pain, pressure or fullness > Halitosis
> Dental pain > Cough
> Fever (for subacute or chronic sinusitis) > Fatigue
Table 2. Prevalence (Mean Percent of Positive Specimens) of Various Respiratory Pathogens From Sinus Aspirates in Patients with ABRS
Publications Before 2000 Microbial Agent
Streptococcus pneumoniae Haemophilus influenzae Moraxella catarrhalis Streptococcus pyogenes Staphylococcus aureus
Gram-negative bacilli (includes Enterobacteriaceae spp)
Anaerobes (Bacteroides, Fusobacterium, Peptostreptococcus)a
Respiratory viruses No growth
a Primarily in odontogenic infections.
Adults (%)
30-43 31-35 2-10 2-7 2-3
0-24 0-12
3-15 40-50
Children (%)
44 30 30 2
-
2 2
- 30 Publications in 2010
Adults (%)
38 36 16 4
13 -
- - 36
Children (%)
21-33 31-32 8-11 -
1
- -
- 29
