[Comparison of sonographic and roentgenologic findings in the paranasal sinuses in children].

Sonography of maxillary sinuses was performed in 362 asymptomatic children with chronic airway diseases, using a 7.5 MHz sector scanner. Pathologic findings were detected in 78 (21.5%) children. Occipito-frontal radiographs of the sinuses were performed in 40 (11%) randomly chosen children and the findings were later compared with those of sonography. An overall agreement in terms of "normal-abnormal" findings was present in 94% of the 80 sinuses examined. In sinuses judged as "normal" or "abnormal" in either of the methods, findings were corresponding as "normal" in 40 of 45 (89%) and as "abnormal" in 35 of 40 (87%) sinuses. A differentiated assessment of pathologic findings showed an agreement in only 19 of 40 (48%) sinuses. Thus, an overall agreement of differentiated findings was present in 59 of 80 (74%) sinuses. Sonography was superior to radiography especially in differentiating the sinus content in secretion, swelling of the mucosa, polyps, cysts and air. In conclusion, sonography offers an accurate screening method for assessment of paranasal sinuses in children.