Are antibiotics indicated for acute sinusitis?

A prospective randomized cohort study evaluating 3 weeks vs 6 weeks of oral antibiotic treatment in the setting of “maximal medical therapy” for chronic rhinosinusitis

“…Though acute sinusitis and CRS are distinct clinical entities, they clearly share similar pathophysiologic properties that often warrant similar forms of treatment with varying degrees of duration. Based on Tashima and Piccirillo's findings and the preliminary findings showed in our results, future research efforts should focus on the clinical efficacy of antibiotic treatment as a whole in the management of CRS, and whether or not clinical management and practice dogma centered on antibiotic therapy should be reconsidered.…”

“…Additionally, a multicenter trial could be developed to increase patient numbers and statistical power for future analysis. Of note, in a recent paper by Tashima and Piccirillo reviewing the efficacy of antibiotic therapy for acute sinusitis, they suggest that with the exception of a select subset of patients with clinical signs and symptoms of serious complications from acute sinusitis, the currently available literature suggests that routine antibiotic therapy may offer little clinical benefit for patients with acute sinusitis and may increase adverse effects including higher antibiotic resistance. This work may have significant implications for future research on medical therapy for CRS.…”

Incorporation of antibiotics and systemic steroids by sinus surgeons: is there widespread consensus?

“…As such, more definitive guidelines should be suggested, and further studies examining practitioner adherence are warranted. With antibiotic overuse a major concern in modern medicine and increasing microbe resistance to these agents, clinicians would benefit from clear‐cut antibiotic use guidelines and an improved knowledge of prescription trends among their colleagues.…”