Chronic Rhinosinusitis With or Without Nasal Polyps Steroid Study

The purpose of this research study is to better understand how this potential treatment option, oral steroids, affects biochemical substances that have been associated with the development of chronic sinusitis and polyps. In order to do this, we need to study people with different forms of chronic sinusitis and compare them to individuals without allergies or sinus disease. We will also look at patients with chronic sinusitis who are treated with oral steroids and compare them to chronic sinus patients who have not received oral steroid therapy prior to surgery. This study may help pave the way to new treatments that address specific parts of the chronic sinus inflammatory pathway. Hypotheses 1. Oral steroid treatment of patients with CRS will lead to a correction in the inflammation that is observed in sinonasal tissues, nasal brushings, and nasal lavage. 2. Steroid induced changes in inflammation will differ in chronic sinus patients with polyps than in those without polyps. 3. Changes in inflammation will correlate with clinical variables.