An ultrasound device in the diagnosis of acute maxillary sinusitis

This multicenter study comprised 161 consecutive and unselected patients with suspected acute maxillary sinusitis (AMS). Altogether 322 maxillary sinuses were examined radiologically and by untrasound device (US). Of these, 234 antra were punctured, aspirated and irrigated. The volume of secretion coming out by irrigation was evaluated. The results of US, x-ray and irrigation were compared. For US, the proportion of correct positive results was 82.7% when the secretion volume was heavy, 78.6% when the secretion volume was moderate and 84.3% when the secretion volume was slight. When US finding was compared with the puncture result, the US gave false positive results in 8% of the cases and false negative results in 18.5% of the cases. Out of 187 positive irrigation findings, radiographs revealed fluid retention in 99 cases (score 3-6) (53%). Similarly, 11 radiographs showed fluid retention in 47 cases of negative irrigation findings (23.4%). Statistical calculation shows that both US and radiology were equally reliable in diagnosing fluid retention and sinusitis, when the results are compared with the findings of the sinus puncture. US and radiology gave false positive findings almost equally (p > 0.05). On the other hand, when the volume of secretion was slight (< 1 ml), US gave a fluid echo finding more often than radiology showed fluid retention.