As little as 10 years ago, many physicians doubted that sinusitis was a pediatric disease. It was widely believed that the sinuses were not developed in infants and young children and that bacterial infections seldom occurred. Advances in imaging techniques, the development of quartz-rod optical telescopes for nasal endoscopy, and the pioneering work of Wald<sup>97 Wald E.R., Chiponis D., Ledesma-Medina J. Comparative effectiveness of amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium in acute paranasal sinus infection in children: A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial Pediatrics 1986 ;  77 : 795-800

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti, 99 Wald E.R., Milmoe G.J., Bowen A. , e al. Acute maxillary sinusitis in children N Engl J Med 1981 ;  304 : 749-754  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti, 100 Wald E.R., Reilly J.S., Casselbrant M. , e al. Treatment of acute maxillary sinusitis in childhood: A comparative study of amoxicillin and cefaclor J Pediatr 1984 ;  104 : 297-302  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> and others into the pathophysiology of pediatric sinus disease have changed the understanding and approach to this disorder. Sinusitis is common, complicating between 5% and 10% of upper respiratory infections.<sup>98 Wald E.R., Guerra N., Byers C. Upper respiratory tract infections of young children: Duration and frequency of complications Pediatrics 1991 ;  87 : 129-133

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> No age group is immune, and even infants may experience complications of sinusitis (Figure 1).

This article examines the anatomy and physiology of the paranasal sinuses of developing children, reviews current guidelines for the diagnosis of sinusitis, and addresses the available medical and surgical options for treating paranasal sinus disease.