Related Experiment Videos
Significance of opacification of the maxillary and ethmoid sinuses in infants
C M Glasier1, G B Mallory, R W Steele
1Department of Radiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock.
Insights
Radiographic sinus opacification is common in infants but often lacks clinical significance. Findings on computed tomography (CT) scans do not reliably indicate upper respiratory tract infection or sinusitis in this age group.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Otolaryngology
- Infant Imaging
Background:
- Infant sinus development is complex and not fully understood.
- Radiographic findings in infant sinuses may differ from adults.
- Distinguishing normal variations from pathology is challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of sinus opacification in infants using computed tomography (CT).
- To assess the clinical significance of radiographic sinus opacification in infants.
- To correlate imaging findings with clinical signs of upper respiratory tract infection.
Main Methods:
- Computed tomography (CT) of maxillary and ethmoid sinuses in 100 infants (0-12 months).
- CT performed for non-sinusitis indications.
- Prospective collection of clinical history and physical examination data.
Main Results:
- 70% of infants showed CT sinus opacification, often without clinical signs of infection.
- Maxillary sinus hypoplasia was noted in 16% of infants, predominantly younger than 2 months.
- Correlation between maxillary and ethmoid sinus findings increased with age.
Conclusions:
- Radiographic sinus opacification in infants has uncertain clinical significance.
- CT findings of sinus opacification are not diagnostic of upper respiratory tract infection or sinusitis in infants.
- Further research is needed to understand the implications of infant sinus opacification.
Abstract:
To evaluate the incidence and significance of radiographic sinus opacification in infants, we performed computed tomography (CT) of the maxillary and ethmoid sinuses in conjunction with routine cranial CT in 100 infants from birth to 12 months of age. CT was performed for indications other than sinusitis. Prospective concurrent clinical history was obtained and physical examination of the upper respiratory tract was performed. Of 100 infants, 16 had hypoplasia of the maxillary sinuses; 81% (13/16) of these were less than 2 months of age. The antra showed progressive increase in size during the first year of life. Of the 100 infants, 70 had CT sinus opacification, including 67% of those without historical or physical evidence of upper respiratory tract infection. There was a positive correlation of CT findings between the maxillary and ethmoid sinuses in 80% of the infants older than 2 months of age but in only 49% of the younger infants. Radiographic sinus opacification in infants is of uncertain significance and is not diagnostic of upper respiratory tract infection, much less of sinusitis.