CLARITHROMYCIN (CAM) TREATMENT FOR CHRONIC SINUSITIS

OBJECTIVE EVALUATION WITH X-RAY MUCOUS-MEMBRANE FUNCTION TEST

Abstract

Clarithromycin (CAM 400 mg/day) was administered for eight weeks in twenty cases with chronic sinusitis.
The clinical effects were assessed objectively with Xray mucous-membrane function test (X-M.F.T). The mucosal edema in the maxillary sinuses and the mucocilliary clearance function showed ineffective rates of 44% and 36%, respectively.
The shadow of the ethmoid sinuses on X-ray was not improved at a rate of 27.3%.
The overall assessment of subjective symptoms, objective symptoms and X-M.F.T. findings was poor with little improvement in 25%.
The result shows a limit of the CAM therapy (400 mg/ day for 8 weeks) in the treatment of chronic sinusitis.