An Assessment of Radiologic Discrepancies in Patients with Paranasal Sinus Disease

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Abstract
The importance of computerized tomographic (CT) imaging of the paranasal sinuses in patients with chronic or recurring sinusitis is well documented. Nevertheless, the accuracy and reliability of this examination is not absolute. In this study of 80 cases, a considerable percentage of CT scans (57.5%) failed to detail accurately the extent of pathology in the sinus cavities. In 39 cases the extent of disease was underestimated using CT, and in seven cases it was overestimated. Discrepancies in pathology were encountered most commonly in the posterior ethmoid sinus. In our opinion, the primary role of CT in the assessment of patients with paranasal sinus disease is to detail precisely the complicated anatomy of this region. This radiologic information along with a thorough understanding of the lateral nasal wall anatomy should allow the surgeon to perform functional procedures and, at the same time, to avoid injury to important adjacent structures.