Topical Irrigations for Chronic Rhinosinusitis

As the understanding of the primary cause of chronic rhinosinusitis has shifted away from infection toward inflammation, topical corticosteroid sprays and saline irrigations have become mainstays of treatment. Topical corticosteroid irrigations are recommended particularly in the postoperative setting, but further research on their effect and possible hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression is needed. The popularity of topical antibiotics has subsequently waned with their use reserved for recalcitrant cases. Further research is needed on the effect of topical antifungals in allergic fungal rhinosinusitis. Topical alternative therapies that target biofilms have gained increasing recognition, and investigations on topical probiotics are on the horizon.