Efficacy of nuclear scintigraphy in the diagnosis and management of sinusitis

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not nuclear scintigraphy is useful in the diagnosis and management of chronic sinusitis. The ideal isotope(s) and drawbacks of the different isotopes in different clinical situations are reviewed and discussed.

A retrospective review of patients undergoing nuclear medicine studies to aid in the diagnosis and management of sinus disease was carried out.

Ideal candidates were chosen from both previously operated and unoperated patients whose computed tomography (CT) scan findings could not differentiate benign mucosal thickening from active inflammation. Nuclear scintigraphy scans using indium (In-111), gallium (Ga-67), and technetium (Tch-99m) were used to differentiate acute infection from chronic inflammation involving bone (osteitis) and/or mucosa. This information was then used to guide the management of their condition. Nuclear scintigraphy results were compared to findings on CT scan and during surgery.

In-111 was found to be the best isotope for identifying pus or acute disease in the sinuses whereas Ga-67 was very good for identifying both chronic mucosal disease as well as acute disease. Tch-99m was very sensitive for identifying bony remodelling and was therefore not found to be useful if the patient had undergone previous sinus surgery.

Although not to be considered, in our view, a first-line diagnostic test, nuclear scintigraphy, is useful in cases where CT results are nondifferentiating.