Correlation of computed tomographic findings and intraoperative findings in patients with chronic sinusitis

Abstract

Objective: Chronic sinusitis affects more than 30 million people each year worldwide. Computed tomography (CT) has become a standard diagnostic tool in the evaluation of paranasal sinuses (PNS), but medical literature lacks studies correlating preoperative CT and intraoperative findings of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). The aim of our study was to evaluate ostiomeatal unit on multidetector CT (MDCT) and correlate findings of MDCT with intraoperative findings during FESS in patients with chronic sinusitis and hence check for its usefulness during surgery. Study design: Prospective clinical study. Materials and methods: Forty-nine patients with chronic sinusitis who visited the Lok Nayak Hospital, Delhi, India, between October 2010 and February 2012 were included in the study. All such patients underwent preoperative CT scan of PNS before surgery, i.e., FESS with or without septoplasty under general anesthesia. Results: Maxillary sinus was found to be the most common sinus involved in chronic sinusitis. Preoperative CT findings correlated well with intraoperative findings for all sinuses except left maxillary sinus. Conclusion: Multiplanar CT of nose and PNS helps to delineate the anatomy of nose and PNS, and drainage pathways of sinuses preoperatively. Therefore, the operating surgeon should be well versed with it. Progress of endoscopic sinus surgery can be partially attributed to revolution in imaging modalities.