The Outflow Tracts of the Paranasal Sinuses, Their Importance & What Have We Learned Since 1984?

Session Description

The introduction of diagnostic endoscopy and CT imaging in the 1980’s focused attention on the ostiomeatal complex as a possible underlying cause of Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS).  At that point in time, the disease itself was considered primarily infectious and antibiotics were the mainstay of medical management.  Since the introduction of endoscopic sinus surgery, we have an increased understanding inflammatory nature and the multifactorial causes of CRS, and this has led to improved insight in terms of the medical and surgical management of this broad syndrome of diseases.  This presentation will focus on the nature of the changes in understanding which have occurred, and their impact on in-office patient management, as well as on the significant refinements in surgery and postoperative management that has occurred as a result of this clinical research.   As we continue to refine our classification of the CRS syndrome, it will continue to result in more personalized and focused therapies for our patients.  The presentation will highlight these changes and the resulting therapeutic refinements.