Upper airway 2: Bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis and sinusitis

Abstract

The nose and paranasal sinuses are contiguous with the lower respiratory tract. Patients with bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis commonly have sinonasal disease, which is thought to have the same aetiology and pathophysiology as the chronic lung disease. Despite this, the conditions are rarely considered together and there is very little literature on the treatment of sinonasal disease in bronchiectasis. In addition to being a common cause of comorbidity, there is evidence suggesting that sinonasal disease may directly influence the bronchial condition. This article reviews sinonasal disease in bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis and addresses the possible interactions between the health and disease of the upper and lower airways.