[The correlation between computed tomography findings of the paranasal sinuses and the symptoms of acute sinusitis].

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the relationship between symptoms, coronal paranasal computed tomography (CT) findings and anatomic variations in patients with acute sinusitis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included 44 patients (23 females, 21 males; mean age 35 years; range 21 to 74 years) whose diagnosis was acute sinusitis by history and physical examination. A comprehensive inquiry into the symptoms was made and coronal paranasal CT scans were obtained in all the patients. Correlations were sought between symptom scores, CT scores, and anatomic variations.

RESULTS

No correlations were found between anatomic variations and CT scores. Total symptom scores did not correlate with CT scores. A statistically significant correlation existed only between headache and CT scores. The most commonly affected sinuses were maxillary sinuses (73%), followed by posterior ethmoidal sinuses (60%).

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that routine CT evaluations are superfluous in acute sinusitis.