Conventional sinus radiography compared with ct in the diagnosis of sinusitis : prospective study

Abstract EN

Objective : to evaluate the value of plain film radiography in a prospective investigation of patients with clinical suspicion of sinusitis, in comparison with computed tomography findings.

Methods : between October 2007 and January 2009, 100 patients with signs and or symptoms of sinusitis and did not respond to classical treatment were selected, age range 5-30years; 60 male and 40 female; each patient underwent conventional X-ray and standard dose CT examinations during the same visit.

The sensitivity and specificity of the plain film and computed tomography examination were calculated Results : the false negative results of plain x-ray was 30%in diagnosis of sinusitis, the specificity of the plain film examination was 33%, but the sensitivity was 45% except for the maxillary sinus (sensitivity 80%).

Thus, for maxillary sinusitis, plain film examination was reasonably accurate.

A negative finding in the other sinuses could not be relied upon.

While the false negative results of computed tomography was 2% for maxillary sinus and 5% for ethmoid sinus which was confirmed by endoscopy of sinus surgery, the sensitivity of computed tomography 96% in diagnosis of sinusitis of and specificity 90%. Conclusions : the sensitivity of plain film in the diagnosis of sinus disease, particularly of the ethmoidal and sphenoidal sinuses is low and shows limitation for use in directing endoscopic surgery, therefore should be replaced by coronal CT scan especially of the patients subjected as candidates for endoscopic sinus surgery to see middle meatal complex and this contents.