Incidental maxillary sinus findings on cranial computerized tomographic scan in a tropical setting

Abnormalities in the maxillary sinuses are occasional findings on routine CT scans of the head.

To study the incidental findings in the CT scans of the maxillary sinuses in patients with indications other than sinuses-related diseases.

Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria.

Images of patients who underwent CT scan of the head over a 5-month period (January 2015- May 2015) were retrospectively reviewed with the exclusion of those whose indication for the scan was trauma or sinus related disease.

A total of 121 CT scan images were reviewed comprising 72 males and 49 females with a male to female ratio of 1.5 to 1.0. Their age range was between 5 and 90 years with a mean of 47.5 ± 20.4 years. The mean age of males was 48.7± 21.2 years while that of females is 45.7± 19.1years. The weight of the patients ranged between 12kg and 109kg with a mean weight of 64.7 ± 16.6kg. The most frequent indications for cranial CT scan were cerebrovascular accident (57; 47.1%), suspected space occupying lesion (23; 19.0%) and persistent headache (5; 4.1%). In all, 93(76.8%) patients had normal scan while 28 (23.2%) patients were observed with sinus pathology. Maxillary mucosal thickening with associated fluid level constituted 11 (9.1%) of the pathologic findings, and this was found bilaterally in 4(3.3%) patients. Seven (5.8%) patients had maxillary mucosal thickening only, with this occurring bilaterally in 4(3.3%) patients and 10 (8.3%) patients had polypoid masses, with bilateral polyps in 1(1.2%) individual. There was no statistical significance with the patient's weight in relation to the sinus findings.

Incidental maxillary sinus pathologies on cranial CT scan are not infrequent. Vigilance is necessary during routine review and reporting of CT scans of the head for appropriate inclusion and interpretation of these findings towards optimal patient's care.