A polling of a select group of otolaryngologists demonstrated agreement in the criteria used to diagnose reflux laryngitis, although some variability exists. The development of objective guidelines for the diagnosis of LPR is a critical initial step toward evaluating the manifestations and therapeutic interventions for this disease process.

Patients with nasal valve collapse demonstrated greater perception of nasal obstruction than those with septal deviation alone. The Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire appears to be a more sensitive instrument than the Rhinosinusitis Disability Index for patients with nasal obstruction. However, existing measures may lack sensitivity in estimating the QOL of patients with nasal obstruction. A disease-specific instrument for nasal obstruction may be necessary to further evaluate this disease process.

With the use of only topical anesthesia, flexible endoscopy of the lower airway in children can be performed in the office setting and can be used effectively to evaluate abnormalities of the lower airway.

The prevalence of chronic sinonasal disease is elevated in patients with IBD, occurring in approximately one-half of patients followed at a tertiary IBD center. Patients with CD experiencing obstructive complications had significantly increased rates of sinonasal disease. The relationship between chronic sinonasal disease and obstructive CD is not defined, but several hypotheses are generated.

No abstract