ABSTRACT
Rhinosinusitis is inflammation of the mucosal linings of the nose and paranasal sinuses. It is a prevalent disease that accounts for a large portion of annual health care expenditures in the United States each year, representing the fifth most common diagnosis in children for which antibiotics are prescribed (1). In 1996, overall health care expenditures attributable to rhinosinusitis were estimated at $5.8 billion, of which $1.8 billion (30.6%) was for children 12 years and younger (2). This does not include out-of-pocket costs for patients who do not seek medical care, including cost for over-thecounter medications, and indirect costs caused by lost work productivity and care for sick children. More importantly, it is a source of significant morbidity and may be associated with infrequent, although occasionally severe, complications.
