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Magnetic resonance imaging of the paranasal sinuses in divers
Y Yanagawa1, Y Okada, K Ishida
1National Defense Medical College, Department of Traumatology and Critical Care Medicine, Saitama, Japan.
Background:
CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) frequently reveal asymptomatic paranasal sinus mucosal hypertrophy in the general population.
Hypothesis:
Divers can suffer asymptomatic paranasal sinus mucosal injury secondary to barotrauma.
Methods:
We examined 20 professional divers by MRI and compared them to 20 normal controls. Paranasal sinus mucosal hypertrophy was defined as mucosal thickening of 3 mm or greater.
Results:
Nine divers had paranasal sinus mucosal hypertrophy vs. four controls (p = 0.09). There was no significant relationship between paranasal sinus hypertrophy and age, diving history, alcohol consumption, or smoking.
Conclusion:
Divers had a tendency toward paranasal sinus mucosal hypertrophy.