Nasal congestion in adults and children remains a major challenge in otorhinolaryngology. Nasal breathing difficulty is one of the most common complaints of patients visiting otorhinolaryngologists. The main causes of nasal congestion are acute upper respiratory tract viral infections, manifested, for example, by acute rhinitis. [1]

The problem of acute sinusitis (AS) continues to be relevant in today's healthcare, what is explained by several reasons. First of all, it is not only that the incidence of AS did not decrease over the past years; moreover, it demonstrates sustainable growth both in Russia and wordlwide. For example, 16% of the US adult population present with sinusitis every year. [1] In Russia, 10 million people suffer from AS every year, although the figure can be low since only severe manifestations of the disease are recorded. [2] According to the latest statistics from the Department of Health of Moscow, the prevalence of sinusitis is 1420 cases per 100 thousand adults. [3]

Rhinosinusitis is one of the most common diseases in clinical practice in relation to which which patients seek doctor's aid. The vast majority of acute rhinosinusitis is caused by viral agents with tropism to respiratory epithelium. In case of mild to moderate disease (mild pain, temperature less than 38.3° C), symptomatic treatment includes topical antibiotics, decongestants, topical corticosteroids, irrigation and elimination therapy. Antibacterial broad-spectrum drugs such as amoxicillin are recommended for patients whose symptoms do not improve within 7 days, or whose condition worsens. Radiographic studies are not recommended in examination for acute uncomplicated rhinosinusitis. Computed tomography also should not be used as a routine method of examination, though it can be used to identify anatomic abnormalities and suspected complications of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis, such as orbital, intracranial lesions and lesions of bone structures. Using compound topical preparations with a broad spectrum of anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictor effects can help adequately manage uncomplicated forms of acute viral, postviral and bacterial sinusitis.

The incidence of acute and chronic rhinosinusitis among children and adult population is growing worldwide. The article tells about the results of recent research on the prevalence of rhinosinusitis, classification, etiological aspects, major therapeutic approaches and antibiotic treatments for the disease.

ARVI and flu epidemics occur annually and affect up to 15% of the world population. One of the most common diseases associated with acute respiratory infection is acute rhinosinusitis. According to various epidemiological studies conducted over the past 5 years in more than 30 countries, the incidence of rhinosinusitis has doubled, and transition from acute to chronic rhinosinusitis is observed in 10-15% of patients. [3]

The article tells about the effects of herbal medicines in the treatment of acute rhinosinusitis. Pharmacological advantages of myrtol standardized are demonstrated which, besides exhibiting mucoactive action, also provides an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial effect. Results of an open controlled study of the efficacy and tolerability of GeloMyrtol® Forte in the course of treatment of acute and exacerbated chronic rhinosinusitis are demonstrated, which provide evidence that GeloMyrtol® Forte is recommended as monotherapy for acute mild rhinosinusitis.

Oral and oropharyngeal dysbiosis is characterized by a decrease in quality and quantity of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi) that are normally found in the mouth, and the emergence of other types of microorganisms which are not typical for the biotope. According to foreign authors, more than 700 species of bacteria and other microorganisms are found in the human oral cavity which can form complex polymicrobial associations ("biofilms") at various biotic and abiotic surfaces of anatomical structures located in the oral cavity and oropharynx [1, 2].

Focal lesions caused by bacterial pathogens constitute a challenge for healthcare in general, but are especially relevant for medical specialties where the main nosological forms are represented by pyo-inflammatory diseases. Otorhinolaryngology is one of such specialties. Despite an arsenal of novel medicines and use of innovative medical technologies, mortality from generalized septic complications is extremely high [9--12, 14].

The number of patients with chronic bronchopulmonary pathology (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma) is huge; what is more, it tends to increase, while cough is one of the major symptoms of these pathologies.

The article discusses the clinical pattern, diagnosis and treatment of allergic rhinitis. It also describes the benefits of topical corticosteroids in combination with local H1 antagonists, such as Momate Rhino Advance, in the treatment of the disease.

Preventing bleeding in the course of a surgical procedure is a relevant problem in otorhinolaryngology. To make this easier, radiowave energy is utilized through high-frequency radiowave generator and the special electrodes. A number of operating modes serve to provide a less traumatic, minimally invasive impact on tissues, thus reducing the length of the procedure and the rehabilitation period.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report in 2015, 360 million people suffer from disabling hearing loss worldwide, of which 328 million are adults and 32 million are children [6]. This is over 5% of the world's population. According to WHO, disabling hearing loss refers to hearing loss greater than 40 dB in the better hearing ear in adults and a hearing loss greater than 30 dB in the better hearing ear in children.

One of the major reason of recurrent surgery is the loss of nasal support which results in the deformation of the nasal septum, thus making the esthetic outcome of primary surgery unsatisfactory.Despite the existence of different methods of surgical management of nasal septum deviation, they all have certain disadvantages that must be considered when choosing the approach for the particular patient, while the search for new techniques in rhino-septoplasty remains a challenge.

Chronic vertigo is often a consequence of acute peripheral vestibular disorder. The syndrome is caused by the failure of the central nervous system to adequately adapt to the loss of vestibular function in one of the labyrinths. Special exercises (vestibular rehabilitation therapy) are required for the development of adequate central compensation. The treatment requires an individual approach, initial assessment of physical fitness, comorbidities, especially pathology of the eye, musculoskeletal system, cognitive function, which determine the duration of treatment and adequacy of vestibular compensation. Timely and reasonable selection of a vestibular rehabilitation programme, sometimes in combination with medications that stimulate the central compensation processes, could help to achieve restoration of balance and stabilization of the changing visual acuity.

Acute and chronic diseases of the upper respiratory tract account for a significant proportion of diseases both in adults and children. For example, in the United States, sinusitis is now the most widespread disease the incidence of which is higher than that of hypertension and arthritis (according to the National Center for Health Statistics, USA). At the same time, inefficacy of local and systemic antimicrobial and antiviral therapies due to polyvalent resistance and absence of new formulas in the market is becoming a pressing issue. Physical therapy and surgical techniques do not always lead to a desired outcome. A review of causes of failed effectiveness of ENT treatments supports the fact immunological reactivity of the patients has changed

In recent years, the term "rhinosinusitis" has become commonly used. It unites a group of inflammatory diseases of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, since it was proved that inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane invariably involves mucosa of the paranasal sinuses.

The article tells about the results of a study of tonsils in patients with pharyngeal symptoms against a background of laryngopharyngeal reflux. An algorithm for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with chronic tonsillitis and laryngopharyngeal reflux is suggested.