A diagnostic dilemma: chronic sinusitis diagnosed by non‐otolaryngologists

• DOI: 10.1002/alr.21691
• Publication Date: 2016-01-11T07:21:54Z
• Authors: Sarah J. Novis; Sarah R. Akkina; Shana Lynn; Hayley E. Kern; Nahid R. Keshavarzi; Melissa A. Pynnonen
• Keywords: Chronic sinusitis; Sinus (botany)

Ambulatory care visits for chronic sinusitis outnumber acute sinusitis. The majority of these are with non-otolaryngologists. In order to better understand patients diagnosed by non-otolaryngologists, we sought determine if incident cases primary (PC) or emergency medicine (EM) providers meet diagnostic criteria.This was a retrospective cohort study. Patients were identified using administrative data from 2005 2006. dataset then clinically annotated based on chart review. We excluded prevalent cases.We 114 newly in EM (75) PC settings (39). Rhinorrhea (EM 61%, 59%) and nasal obstruction 67%, 64%) common both but facial fullness 80%, 39%) pain 40%, 18%) more the setting. Few reported symptoms 90 days longer 6.0%, 24%) no patient had evidence inflammation physical examination. A minority received sinus computed tomography (CT) scan (22.8%) endoscopy (1.8%). total, only 1 met criteria.Most non-otolaryngologists do not have condition. Caution should be used studying non-otolaryngology because large proportion may actually disease.