Future topical medications in chronic rhinosinusitis.

Background: Research has progressed rapidly in recent decades to better understand the etiopathogenesis and management paradigms of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Although oral antibiotics often mitigate symptoms in acute CRS exacerbations, eradication of polymicrobial biofilms and multidrug-resistant bacteria remains a challenge. The goal of this review is to summarize and discuss the potential and pitfalls of topical medications in the treatment of CRS.

Methods: A related literature review was performed using PubMed and Scopus, with only the English database included.

Results: The main therapies were selected and separated in sections. Details regarding future topical treatments of CRS were summarized and discussed.

Conclusion: The ease of access of the sinonasal mucosa positions CRS as a disease with high potential for local topical treatment. The ultimate adoption of topical agents will require continued expansion of our understanding of novel local targets in CRS as well as improved methods to deliver and retain the drug of interest at the site of activity.