Patients were included if they had a clinical diagnosis of acute bacterial maxillary
sinusitis as demonstrated by presence of the cardinal signs and symptoms for a minimum
duration of 7 days, a sinus X-ray (Water's view) confirming the clinical diagnosis of
maxillary sinusitis, and 2 or more of following: fever, leukocytosis, frequent coughing,
headache, nasal congestion, or post-nasal drainage.
Patients were excluded if they were treated with any systemic antibiotic within 7 days
prior to enrollment, had symptoms lasting for longer than 28 days, had 4 or more episodes
of acute sinusitis within the preceding 12 months, had nasal or sinus surgery within 3
months prior (except for a diagnostic procedure), or complicated or nosocomial sinusitis.