Correlation between SN-5 and computed tomography in children with chronic rhinosinusitis

Symptom score questionnaires for evaluation of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in adults does not correlate with computed tomography (CT) scan scores of paranasal sinuses. The SN-5 is a validated symptom score questionnaire for the evaluation of CRS in children. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the correlation of the SN-5 with the CT score in children.

Retrospective review of prospectively collected data.

Thirty-two children between the ages of 2 years and 12 years were seen prospectively for symptoms of CRS. The mean age was 7.7 years (range, 3.6-11.5; SD = 2.4). The caretakers completed the SN-5 during their visit when a CT scan of the paranasal sinuses was obtained.

The mean SN-5 score was 4.1 (SD = 1.03) and the mean Lund-Mackay CT score was 6.8 (SD = 4.3). There was a significant correlation between the SN-5 score and Lund-MacKay CT score (rho = 0.68; P < .0001) for all children in the study. Twelve (38%) children had asthma, and for those children the correlation was poorer and did not reach statistical significance (rho = 0 .57; P = .057). For nonasthmatics the correlation was stronger (rho = 0.73; P = .0003).

Symptom score questionnaire (SN-5) correlated to the disease severity as measured by the Lund-MacKay CT scan score. This is different from what has been found in adults. These findings have positive implications for the follow-up of treatment of CRS in children because the frequent use of CT scans in children is discouraged due to concern for radiation exposure.