Related Experiment Videos
Correlation between presumed sinusitis-induced pain and paranasal sinus computed tomographic findings
Shikha P Mudgil1, Scott W Wise, Kenneth D Hopper
1Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. spmudgil@hotmail.com
Summary
Facial pain and headache symptoms do not correlate with sinus computed tomography (CT) findings. Sinus CT imaging is best reserved for surgical planning rather than diagnosing pain causes.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- The relationship between sinonasal pain symptoms and objective findings on sinus computed tomography (CT) is not well-established.
- Patients with suspected sinusitis often experience facial or head pain, but its correlation with imaging results is poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively investigate the association between paranasal sinus pain symptoms and findings from CT imaging.
- To determine if patient-reported pain correlates with radiographically identified sinus abnormalities.
Main Methods:
- Two hundred patients undergoing paranasal sinus CT completed a pre-imaging questionnaire about pain.
- Radiologists, blinded to patient responses, graded CT findings including air/fluid levels and mucosal thickening.
- Bivariate analysis assessed the relationship between localized symptoms and CT findings in corresponding sinuses.
Main Results:
- 82% of patients reported facial pain or headache, with the temple/forehead being the most common site.
- The maxillary sinus was most frequently affected on CT imaging.
- No significant correlation was found between patient-reported symptoms and CT findings; patients with normal CT reported similar pain sites as those with abnormal CT.
Conclusions:
- Patient-reported sinonasal pain symptoms do not correlate with objective findings on sinus CT.
- Sinus CT imaging should be utilized primarily for anatomical assessment and determining the extent of disease prior to surgical intervention.