"Fizz Sign" in Acute Sinusitis-A CT Scan Finding.

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Otolaryngology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Acute bacterial sinusitis is a common condition requiring accurate diagnosis.
• Computerized Tomography (CT) of the paranasal sinuses is crucial for evaluating sinusitis.
• Identifying specific CT findings can improve diagnostic accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate Computerized Tomography (CT) Paranasal Sinus findings in patients with acute bacterial sinusitis.
• To correlate clinical symptoms with CT findings.
• To introduce and evaluate a novel CT sign, the "Fizz Sign."

Main Methods:

• 120 patients with acute sinusitis symptoms (duration ≤ 2 weeks) underwent coronal CT imaging of the paranasal sinuses.
• Exclusion criteria included symptoms > 2 weeks, chronic sinusitis, and immunocompromised status.
• CT findings indicative of acute sinusitis included mucosal thickening (>5 mm), fluid levels, opacifications, and the "Fizz Sign" (air-fluid mixture).

Main Results:

• The "Fizz Sign" was identified in 28 patients (23.3%) on CT scans.
• Significant variation in CT paranasal sinus findings was observed among patients.
• Multiple sinus subsites were frequently affected in confirmed cases of acute sinusitis.

Conclusions:

• CT imaging reveals diverse findings in acute bacterial sinusitis.
• The "Fizz Sign" is a newly identified CT finding associated with acute sinusitis.
• Accurate CT interpretation is vital for diagnosing and managing acute bacterial sinusitis.