Sinusitis, with sometimes severe symptoms, are frequent in cystic fibrosis (CF). The aim of this mild-term retrospective study was to evaluate the functional and anatomical results of functional endoscopic ethmoidectomy (FEE) in 12 patients with CF. Nasal polyposis (9 cases) and medialization of the nasomaxillary wall (3 cases) were detected during endoscopic examination. Bilateral and multifocal opacities of the paranasal sinuses were present on the CT-scan images in all cases. A FEE was performed in 11 cases and in 1 case, only the anterior ethmoid was opened. Symptoms improved or disappeared in 9/12 cases between 1 and 3 years of follow-up and in 5/7 cases after 3 years of follow-up. A good or mild anatomical result was recorded in 6/12 cases between 1 and 3 years of follow-up and in 5/7 cases after 3 years of follow-up. During follow-up, a new surgical procedure (limited in 8 patients and complete in 3 patients) was often necessary.
Conclusion: It is reasonable to propose FEE in CF patients with chronic sinusitis presenting severe symptoms with the aim of a substantial functional but not anatomical improvement.