Knowra Chronic rhinosinusitis Chronic rhinosinusitis Chronic rhinosinusitis is persistent inflammation of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, typically lasting at least 12 weeks and causing symptoms such as obstruction, discharge, facial pressure, or reduced smell.
Paranasal sinuses : Air-filled cavities in the bones around the nasal cavity that connect with it through small openings. These cavities, along with the nose, are the structures affected.
Mucociliary clearance : The coordinated movement of mucus and trapped particles out of the airways by ciliated cells. Impaired clearance can allow mucus to accumulate in inflamed sinuses.
Saline nasal irrigation : Rinsing the nasal passages with a saltwater solution to remove mucus, debris, and irritants. Regular irrigation can ease symptoms and support topical treatment.
Acute rhinosinusitis : Inflammation of the nose and sinuses lasting less than four weeks, often following a viral infection. Its shorter course distinguishes it from persistent disease.
Endotype : A disease subtype defined by a distinct biological mechanism rather than symptoms or appearance alone. Endotypes may explain why patients with similar symptoms respond differently to treatment.
Nasal polyps : Soft, noncancerous growths of inflamed tissue that develop in the lining of the nose or sinuses. Their presence defines a major clinical subtype of the condition.
Sinonasal epithelium : The cellular lining of the nose and sinuses, which forms a barrier and participates in immune defense. Changes in this barrier may sustain inflammation and impair normal clearance.
Intranasal corticosteroid : A corticosteroid medication delivered as a spray or drops into the nose to reduce local inflammation. It is a main anti-inflammatory treatment, particularly for disease with polyps.
Allergic rhinitis : Nasal inflammation triggered by exposure to allergens, commonly causing sneezing, itching, and watery discharge. Allergy can resemble or coexist with chronic rhinosinusitis but does not itself establish sinus inflammation.
Staphylococcus aureus : A bacterium that commonly lives on human skin and in the nose but can also cause infection. Its presence and immune effects are studied as possible contributors in some disease phenotypes.
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