To Study the pattern of Sinusitis on Cross Sectional Imaging In a Rural Population Visiting A Rural Medical Hospital

Abstract

Background: Sinonasal inflammatory disease with sinus ostial obstruction is a very common cause of headache in rural population. It manifests as an opacified paranasal sinus on plain radiography. Cross sectional imaging modalities like Computed Tomography (CT) can demonstrate the actual pattern of sinusitis. Aim: To study patterns of sinusitis as seen on cross sectional imaging using CT scan. Method: Using CT high resolution bony algorithm and intermediate window widths, 2000HU and window level (WL) 200 HU, the bony anatomy, the extent and anatomic localization of inflammatory lesions and complications such as sclerotic thickening of the bone and cortical destruction were studied and they were classified in different patterns of sinusitis. 100 patients who were clinically diagnosed to suffer from sinusitis were imaged using CT scan. Results: the infundibular pattern of sinusitis was seen in 28 (28%) of the scans. The ostiomeatal unit pattern was identified in 27 (27%) with 8 (8%) scans demonstrating the spheno-ethmoidal recess pattern. Sinonasal polyposis was present in 12 (12%) of the scans and in 25 (25%) the sporadic or unclassifiable pattern was designated. Conclusion: of the five different patterns of sinusitis, in this rural area infundibular pattern was the commonest. Sporadic or unclassifiable pattern was also significant.