Screening for Sinusitis

The purpose of screening is early diagnosis and treatment. Screening tests are usually administered to people without current symptoms, but who may be at high risk for certain diseases or conditions.

There are no screening tests or screening guidelines for the early diagnosis of either acute or chronic sinusitis. Acute sinusitis is a temporary condition that generally is easily treated with medications and often resolves without any treatment. Screening for chronic sinusitis might find affected persons who have no symptoms, but there is no evidence that their health would be improved by presymptomatic treatment for this condition.

References

Rakel RE, Bope ET. Conn’s Current Therapy. 54th ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Company; 2002.

Sinus infection (sinusitis). National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases website. Available at: http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/sinusitis/ . Accessed September 12, 2008.

Sinusitis. American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery website. Available at: http://www.entnet.org/ . Accessed September 12, 2008.

Revision Information

Reviewer: Brian Randall, MD
Review Date: 10/2012
Update Date: 10/11/2012

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.