Abstract
Rhinosinusitis is - due to the frequency of its occurrence and a significant reduction of the patients' quality of life - a serious medical problem, which is also reflected in a considerable economic burden for society. It is a heterogeneous group of diseases of different etiologies and pathophysiologic mechanisms.
Not only otorhinolaryngologists, but also general practitioners or pediatricians are confronted with these diseases on a daily basis and this issue also extends into the field of allergology and pneumology. The aim of this publication is to offer a comprehensive insight into the issue from its etiology and pathogenetic mechanisms to the diagnosis and treatment, based on the current level of understanding of the disease and in accordance with evidence-based medicine.
In addition to the three basic phenotypes of rhinosinusitis (acute rhinosinusitis, chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps and chronic rhinosinusitis without polyps) also fungal rhinosinusitis, allergic diseases of sinonasal system and pediatric problems are discussed. And last, but not least the attention is paid to the functional endonasal surgery and complications of rhinosinusitis.
For the first time in the Czech literature the topic of patients' quality of life with rhinosinusitis is comprehensively elaborated.