Bacterial biofilms: do they play a role in chronic sinusitis?

Abstract

Although medical and surgical strategies for chronic sinusitis have been greatly refined during the last 2 decades, many patients continue to suffer. Bacterial biofilms are three-dimensional aggregates of bacteria that recently have been shown to play a major role in many chronic infections. There is growing evidence that bacterial biofilms may play a role in some forms of recalcitrant chronic sinusitis that persists despite surgically opened sinus cavities and what seems to be appropriate, culture-directed antibiotic therapy. New directions in therapy aimed at biofilms may provide some success in treatment for patients with chronic sinusitis.