Pediatria pre prax 1/2006

INFLAMMATION OF NASAL AND PARANASAL CAVITIES IN CHILDREN

Infection of nasal and paranasal cavities (PND) in children are very frequent diseases involving upper airways. For correct diagnosis and therapy of these diseases we need to have a detailed knowledge not only about etiologic agent and course of the disease but also at least a basic knowledge about embryology and physiology of PND. Terminology includes terms rhinitis, trinosinusitis, polysinusitis and pansinusitis- ostiomeatal unit plays anatomically and functionally an important role in the development of pathological state. According the lengths of the disease we differentiate rhinosinusitis to acute – signs and symptoms lasts from 3 days to 3 weeks, the subacute-similar symptoms as in the acute, length of duration is 3 weeks to 3 moths, recurrent-3 times in 3 moths or 4 times a year and chronic – the same syndrome lasts 3 month or longer. Basis of diagnosis is done by the history and physical examination. In chronic rhinosinusitis the CT scan is necessary. Therapy of acute state is symptomatic, in persistent bacterial infections the antibiotics are indicated. A surgical endonasal operation is frequently necessary in chronic state. Complications mean serious life threatening states even for a paediatric patient.

Keywords: children, inflammation, paranasal cavities, diagnosis, and therapy.