Radiological reporting of CT paranasal sinuses: CLOSE to the mark? The Australian otolaryngolgists’ perspective

Abstract

Background: To optimize the work-up of patients with chronic sinusitis, clinically relevant reporting of scans is imperative to prevent serious adverse outcomes intra-operatively. This study aimed to investigate current perceptions of Australian otolaryngologists with the current standard of reporting for CT-sinuses, and importantly, what further content is desired in radiological reports of the CT paranasal sinuses. Methods: An online survey was sent to all members of the Australasian Society of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (ASOHNS). The survey investigated current levels of satisfaction, frequency of inter-specialty communication and more specifically, what further information the ASOHNS community desired when reading radiological reports of the CT sinuses. Results: The majority of (94.6% of responders) indicated that formal reporting on CT-sinus scans offered little extra clinical information in comparison with their own assessment of patients’ scans. When asked specifically what responders were looking for in the reporting of scans 57% requested more information regarding high-risk surgical areas, 28% more information on anatomic variations and 15.83% requested more information pertaining to disease severity and classification. Conclusions: This study stresses the importance of a systematic approach to the preoperative evaluation of imaging in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The study also highlights perceived potential improvements (from the surgeons’ perspective) with regards to the formal reporting of CT scans of the sinuses. High risk surgical areas and anatomical variations were the most frequently noted requests of otolaryngologists. Standardized approaches to the reporting of CT-sinuses, highlighting high-risk areas and anatomical variants would ultimately enhance the pre-operative assessment of patients with CRS.