Endoscopic and histological staging: Deciding factors in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis

Chronic rhinosinusitis represents an infl ammatory condition of the nose and paranasal sinuses, characterized by two or more symptoms. The diagnosis of acute rhinosinusitis is made, most often, clinically; however, in the case of chronic rhinosinusitis, imaging, bacteriological, as well as the histological investigation are necessary in order to establish the diagnosis and to exclude other diseases that have caused and/or are associated with rhinosinusitis. Different scores (clinical, imagistic) have been described over time, being considered as important factors in the therapeutic decision (surgical or conservative) in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. The authors present their experience in using and relying on endoscopic and histological scores.