The article presents the results of a study of clinical efficacy and safety of Levolet (levofloxacin) 750 mg in combination therapy in patients with acute or exacerbated chronic bacterial rhinosinusitis. The advantages of Levolet's clinical and microbiological efficacy over amoxicillin/clavulanate 875/125 mg twice daily for 10 days are demonstrated; its good tolerability is also emphasized.

Epidemiologically acute and chronic inflammatory diseases of the mucous membranes of the nose and paranasal sinuses (PNS) are among the most common pathologies. Sinusitis is one of the most common reasons for seeking doctor's aid in developed countries. Patients with rhinosinusitis account for 15 to 36% of all hospitalized patients in ENT units [1, 2]. Rhinosinusitis accounts for an even greater percentage of all respiratory diseases in outpatient settings.

Chronic rhinosinusitis is a relevant healthcare issue the incidence of which has increased twofold over the past 20 years. According to the literature, the incidence grows with age: in people aged 20 to 29 years, it equals 2.7%, and in people from 50 to 59 years - 6.6% [1]. Against a background of population ageing, inflammatory diseases of the paranasal sinuses (PNS) are becoming a challenge. Women suffer from chronic sinusitis 1.5 times more often than men. 15 to 36% of in-patients at ENT units are people suffering from diseases of the paranasal sinuses (PNS) [2].

Adequate performance of protective and other mechanisms of the nasal cavity is only possible in a reasonably clean environment, especially air. Deviation from the normal level of air content normally disturbs the functioning of the nasal cavity as organ. Long-term exposure to pathological components of air leads to organic disorders, in particular, to inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract. These disorders which include infectious rhinitis, rhinosinusitis, adenoiditis, and allergic rhinitis (AR), not only worsen the quality of life of patients, but often require surgical intervention for the purpose of treatment or preventing complications. [1, 2, 4, 5, 31, 33]

Hay fever, a classic allergic disease, is in fact an immediate allergic response. It is characterized by acute allergic inflammation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, eyes and skin. Less often it involves the digestive, cardiovascular, genitourinary and nervous systems. There is a distinctive relationship of annual exacerbation with flowering season of allergenic plants and exposure to pollen. The most common manifestation of hay fever is allergic rhinitis (95--98%) [1].

The problem of chronic tonsillitis (CT) remains unresolved. National classifications of CT are not perfect and have a number of drawbacks. There are no objective diagnostic criteria for CT. Simple form of chronic tonsillitis is based on subjective symptoms which are not amenable to assessment in numbers, thus resulting in misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment. The question whether tonsils should be removed is still open.

Over the last decade, practicing ENT doctors are increasingly faced with atypically long-term inflammatory ENT diseases resistant to standard treatment protocols and associated with long recovery periods. The problem also includes sickly children (recurrent respiratory infections in children) and higher incidence of chronicity of inflammation in the paranasal sinuses, nasal cavity ("constantly runny nose") and throat (chronic tonsillitis, pharyngitis) in adults.

Respiratory diseases occupy first place in the total list of diseases in the world; the incidence of respiratory diseases in adults is 27.6%, in adolescents - 39.9% and in children - 61% [1], thus making the problem a matter of undying interest in practical healthcare. Acute bacterial infections of the respiratory tract may occur as an independent pathology. However, in most cases they are complications of viral infections, often caused by the presence of adenoid vegetations, chronic tonsillitis or sinusitis in children. Furthermore, recurrent respiratory diseases as such contribute to the formation of chronic respiratory disease, alter reactivity, sensitize the human organism, reduce and alter the local and general immunity [2]. Chronic diseases of the upper respiratory tract (URT), along with frequent acute respiratory infections (ARI), are resultant from delayed and irrational treatment, presence of chronic foci of infection, allergic respiratory diseases, and exposure to adverse environmental factors.

Laryngeal paralysis is one of the causes of stenosis of the upper respiratory tract characterized by unilateral or bilateral motor damage in the larynx reflected in a dysfunction of vocal cords or their complete inability to move as a result of pathologic innervation of relevant muscles, ankylosis of cricoarytenoid joints and inflammation [1, 3]. Depending on the level of damage, paralysis is divided into central and peripheral, unilateral and bilateral.

Sore throat is one of the most common complaint with which patients seek the aid of doctors specializing in different areas. Sore throat may be associated with abnormalities of various organs and systems due to topographical proximity of various anatomical elements located in the oropharynx and rich and extensive innervation of the pharynx [1, 2].

Acute tonsillitis (AT) (from Latin tonsillae - tonsils; Russian synonym - "angina" (Engl. sore throat), from Latin ango - clasp, squeeze, strangle) is an acute infectious disease which is locally manifested in acute inflammation of components of the pharyngeal lymphatic ring, often the tonsils. The term angina (in Russian means sore throat) has been known since ancient times; today it is associated with various pathological conditions in the oropharynx with common symptoms but different etiology and course.

Pyoinflammatory ENT diseases are still the most common and clinically relevant pathological conditions. Infections of the upper respiratory tract and ENT rank second in the overall morbidity in large cities of Russia, in Moscow accounting for about 19% of all diseases [1, 2]. Nosological forms of ENT infections are quite varied: various types of otitis externa and otitis media, diseases of the upper respiratory tract - rhinosinusitis, tonsillar pathology, laryngitis. Pyoinflammatory ENT disease is one of the most common reasons for visiting general practitioners and otorhinolaryngologists.

Abstract. The purpose of the article is to present current surgical approaches to the removal of frontal ethmoid osteoma. The article analyzes and describes surgical techniques used at the department of otorhinolaryngology of the Central Clinical Hospital and Polyclinic for the treatment of osteomas located in the frontal sinus, frontal recess and ethmoidal labyrinth roof. Headache and eye symptoms are the main manifestations of the disease. The method of choice for symptomatic osteoma is surgical removal of neoplasm. The article describes different types of interventions including external, endoscopic endonasal and combined approach. In external approach preference should be given to access with the formation of bicoronary osteoplastic flap. The methods is appropriate in cases when the patient is operated for the first time, the osteoma occupies the majority of the sinus or is located laterally thus making it impossible to remove it transnasally. If the patient underwent a frontal sinus surgery earlier and has a cosmetic deformity, it is feasible to resort to radical surgery on frontal sinus with fat obliteration. Endoscopic endonasal access is applied in cases where the osteoma is located in the roof of ethmoidal labyrinth or frontal recess, as well as in cases when the frontal sinus osteoma does not obstruct outflow and frontal sinusitis is caused by anatomical narrowing of nasofrontal junction. In asymptomatic osteomas watchful waiting is recommended.

Electrosurgery is the application of a high-frequency electric current to biological tissue as a means to cut, coagulate, desiccate, or fulgurate tissue. The key benefit is the ability to make precise cuts to biological tissue with limited blood loss. Electrosurgical devices are frequently used during various surgical operations, both in hospital operating rooms or in outpatient procedures.

Diseases of the upper respiratory tract (URT) and ENT organs are the leading causes of morbidity worldwide; the incidence of respiratory diseases in adults is 27.6%, in adolescents - 39.9% and in children - 61% [1], thus making the problem a matter of undying interest in practical healthcare. In the total structure of morbidity in Moscow, the diseases account for nearly 19% and rank second in the total list of nosologies [2]. In most cases, the infection process involves the upper and lower sections of the URT simultaneously or consecutively, though in some cases specific areas of the respiratory tract are targeted. URT infections primarily include those located in the anatomical structures above the larynx (pharynx).

ARVI is one of the most common diseases worldwide. Search for adequate treatment remains an urgent public healthcare problem globally. The main task is still an effective and safe relief of ARVI symptoms, for the purpose of which both pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods are traditionally used. The best solution for today seems to be the use of combination formulations with a high level of compliance, economic feasibility and efficacy. ARVI treatment is traditionally complemented by alternative methods (honey, ginseng, Echinacea purpurea, etc). The article reviews clinical recommendations for ARVI therapy.

The past 30 years have seen an overall increase in the prevalence of allergic diseases (AD) among which allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most common. The disease produces a significant impact on physical and mental health of patients, and is a heavy social burden. In the US, the number of patients with AR is 25-30 million people, while AD are registered in more than 40 million people. In England, the prevalence of AR is 16%, in Denmark - 19%, in Germany - 13--17%.

The article is devoted to surgical treatment efficacy of complicated purulent maxillary sinusitis using multifunctional hydrogel depot-materials. The follow-up involved 125 patients with the disease. Intraoperatively we sanitated the defected areas which then were lined with hydrogel napkins. Ethmoidal labyrinth was sanitated, then its bed and nasal cavity were covered by hydrogel napkins impregnated with dioxydine and lidocaine. Combined treatment of complicated maxillary sinusitis with local use of depot-materials contributed to the healing of postoperative wounds within an optimal period.