Abstract
Leukotriene modifiers represent a potentially useful agent in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis. Currently, leukotriene-modifying agents are FDA approved for treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis. Leukotrienes are inflammatory agents released by mast cells and eosinophils. They enact inflammatory changes by increasing edema, recruiting inflammatory cells, increasing cytokine and collagen production, and increasing vascular permeability. Leukotriene-modifying agents include leukotriene receptor antagonists and 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors, both of which act to decrease downstream leukotriene effects. Currently, there are no specific guidelines for the use of antileukotriene agents in chronic rhinosinusitis. They are often used as adjunct therapy for the medical management of Samter’s (aspirin) triad patients and patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis. The literature studying the benefits of antileukotrienes in chronic rhinosinusitis is limited, but existing data does show some benefit of using these agents in specific cases.
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Zacharek, M.A., Birkeland, A.C. (2015). Leukotriene Modifiers. In: Batra, P., Han, J. (eds) Practical Medical and Surgical Management of Chronic Rhinosinusitis. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16724-4_18
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16724-4_18
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