Comparison of a screening coronal CT versus a contiguous coronal CT for the evaluation of patients with presumptive sinusitis.

Authors

• G M Goodman
• D S Martin
• J Klein
• E Awwad
• H M Druce
• M Sharafuddin

Publication/Presentation Date

2-1-1995

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography has greatly improved the accuracy of sinus imaging. While contiguous coronal computed tomography scanning of the sinuses provides detailed imaging as compared with plain sinus radiography, this modality is significantly more expensive and involves exposure of the patient to a higher dose of radiation. It has become increasingly common to obtain screening, or non-contiguous, CT scans of the sinuses when screening for the presence of sinusitis.

OBJECTIVE: To calculate the sensitivity and specificity of the screening coronal CT scan of the sinuses in screening for inflammatory disease using the contiguous coronal CT examination of the sinuses as the standard.

METHODS: From contiguous coronal computed tomograms of the paranasal sinuses, screening coronal computed tomographic examinations were created for 44 patients. Patients were being screened for the presence of sinusitis in the Comprehensive Sinus Clinic at St. Louis University. The two examinations were reviewed independently and in random order by two neuroradiologists. Using the original examinations as the standard, the sensitivity and specificity of the screening studies were calculated for various situations.

RESULTS: Overall, a sensitivity of 93.3% and a specificity of 89.3% for the detection of inflammatory disease of the sinuses by the screening examination was observed.

CONCLUSIONS: The screening coronal computed tomogram of the paranasal sinuses may be useful in the evaluation of the patient with possible sinusitis.

Volume

74

Issue

2

First Page

178

Last Page

182

ISSN

1081-1206

Published In/Presented At

Goodman, G. M., Martin, D. S., Klein, J., Awwad, E., Druce, H. M., & Sharafuddin, M. (1995). Comparison of a screening coronal CT versus a contiguous coronal CT for the evaluation of patients with presumptive sinusitis. Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology, 74(2), 178–182.

Disciplines

Diagnosis | Medicine and Health Sciences | Other Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment | Radiology

PubMedID

7697480

Department(s)

Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Medical Imaging

Document Type

Article