Topographic relationship; sinusitis and paranasal sinus computed tomography

Abstract

Background: The association between the symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and computed tomography (CT) findings is controversial, especially the topography of the symptoms and CT findings. Objective: To determine the relationship between topographic and overall paranasal CT findings with topographic and overall symptoms. Methods: This was a two-center study comprising 166 patients diagnosed with chronic sinusitis. All patients underwent CT scans and completed a questionnaire. The symptom scores and CT findings were compared. Results: A correlation between anterior ethmoid sinusitis and hyposmia was found. Blockage of the osteomeatal complex and posterior ethmoid sinusitis was associated with halitosis. There were also correlations between maxillary and sphenoid sinusitis and tooth pain. The total visual scale score was not associated with any of the symptoms. No association was seen between facial pain or facial pressure and paranasal sinus CT scores. No correlation was found between the topographic correlation of sinus pain and topographic paranasal sinus CT findings. Conclusions: No relationship exists between symptoms and paranasal sinus CT findings in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.