SINUSITIS IN HIV-INFECTED PATIENTS

The purpose of this study is to retrospectively review the clinical, r adiographic and laboratory characteristics, the therapy and evolution of sinusitis in HIV-infected patients hospitalized between January 1, 1985 and July 31, 1994. We have observed 65 cases of sinusitis in 58 H IV-infected patients (77.6% classified as group C). Forty-five of 65 c ases (69.2%) showed radiographic evidence of acute sinusitis; the rema ining 20 cases (30.8%) showed chronic sinusitis. In 61 cases (93.8%) t here were symptoms related to sinusitis. In 61 sinusitis cases antibio tics were administered. Although the majority of patients responded at least partially to antibiotic therapy, a complete resolution of clini cal and radiographic signs was observed in only 47.4% of acute sinusit is cases. No resolution was observed in chronic sinusitis after treatm ent stop. Sinusitis appears to occur quite frequently in HIV-infected patients, is often related to non-specific symptoms, may be recurrent and is commonly refractory to treatment.