Allergic Sinusitis and Bronchial Asthma in Children

Abstract

The mucosal lining of the sinuses has the same histological features of the upper airway mucosa. Thus, it might react to allergic stimuli in the same manner as the bronchial tree. Many patients, particularly children, are treated with antibiotics while they should have anti-allergic therapy because of allergic sinusitis associated with bronchial asthma. Chronic sinusitis is often associated with a hyperactive state of the upper and lower airways showing also mucosal thickening on sinus X-rays. Since secondary bacterial invasion is possible, patients are usually treated with antibiotics only, disregarding the allergic component. The respiratory epithelium in the bronchial tree and the sinus is the same, so obviously the allergic reaction will have manifested in both, requiring the addition of anti-allergic therapy. During the last decade, many clinical as well as research studies have been published, stressing the connection between allergy, bronchial asthma, and sinusitis. Nevertheless, sinusitis in children is still regarded by many pediatricians as an inflammatory process requiring antibiotics only.