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Use of ultrasound in detection of sinus disease in children
J S Reilly1, A J Hotaling, D Chiponis
1Division of Otolaryngology, University of Alabama, Children's Hospital, Birmingham 35233.
Insights
Portable ultrasound shows limited usefulness for diagnosing pediatric sinusitis. The study found low sensitivity in detecting sinus pathology in children, making it an unreliable screening tool for this age group.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
- Medical Imaging Technology
- Diagnostic Ultrasound
Background:
- Sinusitis is a common condition in children, often diagnosed using clinical evaluation and imaging.
- Standard radiography is frequently used, but concerns exist regarding radiation exposure in pediatric patients.
- A-Mode ultrasound has been proposed as a portable, non-invasive alternative for sinusitis screening.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of a portable A-Mode ultrasound device for screening pediatric sinusitis.
- To compare ultrasound findings with standard paranasal sinus radiographs in children aged 2-16 years.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study involving 53 children (age 2-16 years) with signs and symptoms suggestive of sinusitis.
- All participants underwent A-Mode ultrasound examination using a portable Sinus-V 2500 apparatus.
- Ultrasound results were compared against findings from standard paranasal sinus radiographs.
Main Results:
- The portable ultrasound demonstrated low sensitivity (22%) for evaluating small, developing paranasal sinuses in children.
- Confirmation of sinus pathology, specifically mucosal thickening, was challenging with ultrasound.
- Opacified sinuses were detected by ultrasound in only 58% of cases.
Conclusions:
- Portable A-Mode ultrasound devices have limited usefulness for detecting sinus disease in the pediatric population.
- The low sensitivity and difficulty in confirming pathology limit the clinical utility of this ultrasound modality for pediatric sinusitis screening.
- Further research into advanced ultrasound techniques may be necessary for improved pediatric sinus evaluation.
Abstract:
A prospective study utilizing a small, portable A-Mode ultrasound apparatus (Sinus-V 2500 Radionics Medical) was undertaken to screen children with signs and symptoms of sinusitis. Fifty-three children (age 2-16 years) were tested both by ultrasound and compared to standard radiographs of the paranasal sinuses. The sensitivity of the ultrasound to evaluate small, developing paranasal sinuses in children was low (22%). Sinus pathology, particularly mucosal thickening, was difficult to confirm. However, even opacified sinuses were only detectable in 58% of the time. Therefore, portable ultrasound devices to detect sinus disease in children, have limited usefulness for this particular population.