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Clinical significance of asymptomatic sinus abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging
Y Iwabuchi1, Y Hanamure, K Ueno
1Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagoshima University, Japan.
Objective:
To investigate the prevalence of abnormalities of the paranasal sinus detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in asymptomatic subjects.
Design:
Prospective study.
Setting:
Outpatient clinic.
Patients:
A total of 325 patients who underwent MRI for suspected intracranial disease. Of those, 257 patients lacked nasal or sinus symptoms.
Results:
Sinus abnormalities were seen on MRI in 153 (47.1%) of 325 patients, including 107 (41.6%) of the 257 asymptomatic patients. Subjects older than 50 years had a significantly higher frequency of sinus abnormalities on MRI (49.8%) vs those younger than 50 years (39.5%) (P < .05). The maxillary sinus abnormality was observed in 99 patients (38.5%) and the ethmoid sinus abnormality was observed in 52 (20.2%) (P < .01). The most common abnormality was mucosal thickening in the maxillary and ethmoid sinuses.
Conclusion:
A high prevalence of sinus abnormalities was detected in asymptomatic subjects on MRI.
Insights
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reveals a high prevalence of paranasal sinus abnormalities in asymptomatic individuals. Mucosal thickening in the maxillary and ethmoid sinuses was most common, particularly in those over 50.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Otolaryngology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Paranasal sinus abnormalities are frequently encountered in clinical practice.
- The prevalence of these abnormalities in asymptomatic individuals is not well-established.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a key modality for evaluating sinonasal structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of paranasal sinus abnormalities detected by MRI in asymptomatic subjects.
- To identify specific types and locations of abnormalities in this population.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study conducted in an outpatient clinic setting.
- 325 patients undergoing MRI for suspected intracranial disease were included.
- 257 patients without nasal or sinus symptoms were analyzed for sinus abnormalities.
Main Results:
- Overall, 47.1% of patients showed sinus abnormalities on MRI.
- In asymptomatic subjects, 41.6% had detectable sinus abnormalities.
- Mucosal thickening in maxillary and ethmoid sinuses was the most common finding, with higher prevalence in individuals over 50 years old.
Conclusions:
- A significant prevalence of paranasal sinus abnormalities exists in asymptomatic individuals as detected by MRI.
- Findings suggest that incidental sinus abnormalities on MRI are common and may not indicate underlying pathology in the absence of symptoms.