Imaging of rhinosinusitis and its complications

Conventional plain-film radiographiy may be used as a screening method for various pathological conditions of the sinonasal cavities. However, CT scanning remains the study of choice for the imaging evaluation of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases of sinonasal cavities. MRI is superior to CT in differentiating inflammatory conditions from neoplastic processes. The most common complications of rhinosinusitis in children occur in the orbit. The information obtained from the CT scan and MRI, together with clinical findings, may be the best guidelines for clinical management and the mode of treatment. Although intracranial complications of sinusitis are relatively rare, prompt recognition of these disease states is important to prevent permanent neurological deficient or fatality. It is prudent to obtain MRI of the sinuses, orbits, and brain whenever extensive or multiple complications of sinusitis are suspected, in addition to CT scanning. Chronic rhinosinusitis is a clinical diagnosis, confirmed and staged with the CT scan of sinonasal cavities. Chronic inflammatory disease is often associated with mucosal thickening and sclerosis of the bone, particularly within the sinuses. Chronic extramucosal fungal sinusitis develops as a saprophytic growth in retained secretions in a sinus cavity. The imaging manifestations of chronic mycotic rhinosinusitis may be nonspecific or highly suggestive of the presence of fungal infection. The presence of diffuse increased attenuation within the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity should be considered as chronic allergic hypersensitivity aspergillosis (chronic noninvasive aspergillosis) or chronic hyperplastic sinusitis and polyposis associated with desiccated, retained mucosal secretions. The MRI characteristics of fungal sinusitis depend on the stage of the disease.     

Imaging of rhinosinusitis and its complications: plain film, CT, and MRI

Conventional plain-film radiography may be used as a screening method for various pathological conditions of the sinonasal cavities. However, CT scanning remains the study of choice for the imaging evaluation of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases of sinonasal cavities. MRI is superior to CT in differentiating inflammatory conditions from neoplastic processes. The most common complications of rhinosinusitis in children occur in the orbit. The information obtained from the CT scan and MRI, together with clinical findings, may be the best guidelines for clinical management and the mode of treatment. Although intracranial complications of sinusitis are relatively rare, prompt recognition of these disease states is important to prevent permanent neurological deficit or fatality. It is prudent to obtain MRI of the sinuses, orbits, and brain whenever extensive or multiple complications of sinusitis are suspected, in addition to CT scanning. Chronic rhinosinusitis is a clinical diagnosis, confirmed and staged with the CT scan of sinonasal cavities. Chronic inflammatory disease is often associated with mucosal thickening and sclerosis of the bone, particularly within the sinuses. Chronic extramucosal fungal sinusitis develops as a saprophytic growth in retained secretions in a sinus cavity. The imaging manifestations of chronic mycotic rhinosinusitis may be nonspecific or highly suggestive of the presence of fungal infection. The presence of diffuse increased attenuation within the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity should be considered as chronic allergic hypersensitivity aspergillosis (chronic noninvasive aspergillosis) or chronic hyperplastic sinusitis and polyposis associated with desiccated, retained mucosal secretions. The MRI characteristics of fungal sinusitis depend on the stage of the disease.     

Aspergillosis of the nose and paranasal sinuses.

Fulminant aspergillosis was diagnosed on nasal biopsy in a 49 year old man who had features of an aspergilloma. Further postmortem examination of this area was performed and the results were contrasted with the histological features of other Aspergillus infections. The nasal biopsy specimen and postmortem examination showed infiltrating Aspergillus hyphae with tissue necrosis and little inflammatory response. The hyphae were easily seen with routine stains. This contrasts with the findings in invasive aspergillosis where there is fibrosis and a granulomatous response to the Aspergillus hyphae. The hyphae are seen in giant cells using fungal stains. In the saprophytic infections aspergilloma and allergic Aspergillus sinusitis there is no tissue invasion or destruction. Aspergillus infections of the nose and paranasal sinuses often require biopsy for accurate diagnosis. As treatment varies pathologists need to be able to distinguish the different patterns of infection.     

Allergic Aspergillus sinusitis: a newly recognized form of sinusitis

The clinical and pathologic features of seven cases of a newly recognized form of chronic sinusitis are described. Most patients were young adults with a history of asthma, and all had chronic nasal polyps. Radiographically, there was opacification of multiple sinuses. Recurrent sinusitis was common, and several patients underwent numerous surgical drainage procedures. Histologically, a distinct mucinous material containing eosinophils, Charcot-Leyden crystals, and fungal hyphae was found in tissue resected from the sinuses. We believe that these findings constitute a distinct clinicopathologic entity that we term allergic Aspergillus sinusitis. This condition shares similar histopathologic features with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) but affects the paranasal sinuses rather than the lung. Implications for therapy of this form of sinusitis and its possible relationship to allergic lung diseases are discussed.     

术前鼻窦CT Lund-Mackay评分对功能性内镜鼻窦手术后鼻腔填塞物选取的预测价值

目的 探讨功能性内镜鼻窦手术(FESS)术前鼻窦CT Lund-Mackay评分对术后鼻腔填塞物选取的预测作用。方法 回顾性队列研究。纳入2015年5月—2020年1月蚌埠市第一人民医院耳鼻咽喉科鼻窦炎患者50例,其中男27例、女23例,年龄4~70(32.2±4.0)岁。50例患者均采用Messerklinger术式行FESS治疗,术后予以鼻腔填塞止血。根据鼻腔填塞材料的不同将患者分为凡士林填塞组和明胶海绵填塞组,每组25例。分别于手术前24 h和术后48 h行主观感受视觉模拟评分法(VAS)评分、鼻窦CT Lund-Mackay评分以及术后鼻腔填塞止血效果评价(以填塞期间出血＜5 mL为填塞止血满意)。对影响明胶海绵填塞效果的因素进行logistic回归分析。根据鼻窦CT Lund-Mackay评分绘制预测适合明胶海绵填塞效果的受试者操作特征(ROC)曲线,以最佳截断值预测明胶海绵填塞的效果。结果 两组患者性别构成、病变侧别、术前各项VAS评分比较差异均无统计学意义(P值均＞0.05)。止血满意率凡士林组100%(25/25)、明胶海绵组92%(23/25),两组差异无统计学意义(χ²=3.615, P＞0.05)。两组患者术后填塞期总出血量及术后流涕VAS评分比较差异均无统计学意义(P值均＞0.05);明胶海绵组术后鼻塞、头面部胀痛及嗅觉障碍VAS评分均低于凡士林组,差异均有统计学意义(t=4.324、4.861、5.207, P值均＜0.05)。明胶海绵组患者术前鼻窦CT总评分以及筛窦CT总评分[(8.2±3.1)分、(3.1±1.9)分]均较凡士林组分值[(15.0±4.4)分、(6.5±1.4)分]更小,差异均有统计学意义(t=6.383、7.171, P值均＜0.05)。logistic回归分析结果提示,鼻窦CT总分[比值比(OR)=1.366(95% CI 1.004~1.860)]及筛窦CT总分[OR=2.155(95% CI 1.155~4.021)]是明胶海绵填塞止血满意的危险因素(P值均＜0.05),两者对于明胶海绵填塞止血满意均具有高度预测价值(AUC值分别为0.91、0.92,P值均＜0.05)。当鼻窦CT总分＜9.5分时,约登指数为0.80,预测适合明胶海绵填塞止血满意的敏感度为84.0%,特异度为96.0%;当筛窦总分＜4.5分时,约登指数为0.68,预测适合明胶海绵填塞止血满意的敏感度为76.0%、特异度为92.0%。结论 术前鼻窦CT Lund-Mackay评分,对于FESS术后鼻腔填塞物种类的恰当选择具有一定意义;鼻窦CT Lund-Mackay总分及筛窦CT总分较低时,选择明胶海绵进行术腔填塞,既能有效止血,又能提高患者舒适度。     

Combined mucormycosis and aspergillosis of the oro-sinonasal region in a patient affected by Castleman disease

One case of aspergillosis and mucormycosis occurring in a patient with stage-IV Castleman disease was investigated. The patient, who had undergone polychemotherapy and was in otherwise good general condition, without lymphadenopathies or imbalance of the immune system, presented with a palatal ulceration that progressively involved the palatal mucosa and bone, the paranasal sinuses and the orbit. Repeated cultural examinations were always negative. He had undergone multiple cytological smears of the inflammatory infiltration and biopsies of both the oral and nasal mucosa, which resulted in extensive necrotic debris and suppurative inflammation, and, on the very last biopsy, fungal hyphae, spores and conidia were also detected. These were large, branching, mostly non-septate hyphae, associated with conidiophores and conidia, the latter appearing dark brown to black in the histological preparations. Following the diagnosis of combined mucormycosis and aspergillosis, the patient underwent prolonged topic and systemic antibiotic treatment that resulted curative. Mucormycosis usually is a fatal complication of head and neck or systemic disorders, leading to severe immune suppression. Nevertheless, early diagnosis may be achieved using a combination of special stains and may lead to effective antibiotic treatment and cure of the patient, even if associated with other opportunistic infections, such as aspergillosis.     

侵袭型肺曲霉菌病的CT影像诊断特征

目的 探讨侵袭型肺曲霉菌病的CT影像表现特征，为侵袭型肺曲霉菌病的临床诊断提供参考依据。方法 搜集经病理活检、手术证实的10例侵袭型肺曲霉菌病的CT影像表现特征进行回顾性分析，其中4例行5mm层厚和5mm层距的CT扫描，进行CT影像诊断学观察。结果 10例CT表现中均不同程度地出现了结节状阴影，伴有晕征或空气半月征。结论 晕征、空气半月征是侵袭型肺曲霉菌病的CT特征性表现，结合原发病史，对侵袭型肺曲霉菌病诊断或早期提示性具有重要意义。     

MR of the paranasal sinuses

The purpose of this project was to examine the anatomy and pathology of the paranasal sinuses as seen by MR imaging. This was accomplished through correlations of MR images of normal volunteers with matched cadaver whole organ cryosections. The information obtained by MRI was compared to that of plain films and CT in the detection of a variety of conditions affecting the paranasal sinuses. The majority of the pathological processes could be quite adequately imaged by T1 weighted pulsing sequences. When more tissue specific information was required in some infiltrating malignant lesions, T2 weighting pulsing sequences are quite helpful for tumors that crossed the subarachnoid space into the central nervous system or in characterizing tissues in airless sinuses. Other than the single case of osteoid osteoma where X-ray studies were superior, magnetic resonance provided equal or superior information to the X-ray examinations.     

A case of allergic fungal sinusitis caused by Bipolaris spicifera]

We describe a case of allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS) caused by Bipolaris spicifera, the first case reported in Japan. A 70-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of diplopia following bilateral nasal obstruction and discharge. Radiological studies using computed tomographic scan showed a large soft tissue mass occupying the right frontal, bilateral ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses. He underwent drainage surgery and histopathological examination of the contents of the paranasal sinuses revealed scattered fungal hyphae within "allergic mucin". By cytological examination, these hyphae showed septation at irregular intervals, and were swollen to various sizes. Microbiological studies identified the fungus as Bipolaris spicifera. The presence of allergic mucin and scattered fungal hyphae were very important findings in making a diagnosis of AFS histopathologically, so squash cytology of the contents of the paranasal sinuses was quite useful to observe fungal elements and identify the strain in this case.     

鼻腔及鼻窦非霍奇金淋巴瘤的CT诊断

目的：探讨鼻腔及鼻窦非霍奇金淋巴瘤（NHL）的CT特点,提高诊断准确性。方法：回顾性分析24例经病理证实的鼻腔及鼻窦NHL的CT表现。结果：24例中16例位于单侧,8例累及双侧。原发于鼻前庭2例、鼻腔6例、鼻窦9例、鼻腔鼻窦7例。病灶肿块表现15例,浸润表现9例。24例中22例病灶密度相对均匀,2病灶密度相对不均,增强后部分强化。原发于鼻腔的淋巴瘤1例见骨质破坏,原发于鼻窦和鼻腔鼻窦的有6例见骨质破坏;常累及邻近结构。结论：鼻腔鼻窦NHL的CT表现缺乏特征性征象,但有一些相对特异性征象有助于鼻腔鼻窦NHL的诊断。根据CT的相对特征性表现,结合临床,有助于及时诊断该类疾病。     

Anatomical variations in the human paranasal sinus region studied by CT

A precise knowledge of the anatomy of the paranasal sinuses is essential for the clinician. Conventional radiology does not permit a detailed study of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, and has now largely been replaced by computerised tomographic (CT) imaging. This gives an applied anatomical view of the region and the anatomical variants that are very often found. The detection of these variants to prevent potential hazards is essential for the use of current of endoscopic surgery on the sinuses. In the present work, we have studied the anatomical variants observed in the nasal fossae and paranasal sinuses in 110 Spanish subjects, using CT in the coronal plane, complemented by horizontal views. We have concentrated on the variants of the nasal septum, middle nasal concha, ethmoid unciform process and ethmoid bulla, together with others of lesser frequency. The population studied showed great anatomical variability, and a high percentage (67%) presented one or more anatomical variants. Discounting agger nasi air cells and asymmetry of both cavities of the sphenoidal sinus, which were present in all our cases, the variations most often observed were, in order, deviation of the nasal septum, the presence of a concha bullosa, bony spurs of the nasal septum and Onodi air cells.     

Computed tomography measurements of different dimensions of maxillary and frontal sinuses

Background  

We have previously proposed the use of Doppler ultrasound to non-invasively stage sinus infection, as we showed that acoustic streaming could be generated in nonpurulent sinus secretions and helped to distinguish it from mucopurulent sinus secretions. In order to continue this development of a clinically applicable Doppler equipment, we need to determine different dimensions of the paranasal sinuses, especially the thickness of the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus (at the canine fossa). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the thickness of the canine fossa. This study aimed to (a) estimate different dimensions of the maxillary and frontal sinuses measured on computed tomography (CT) of the head, (b) define cut-off values for the normal upper and lower limits of the different measured structures, (c) determine differences in age, side and gender, (d) compare manually and automatically estimated maxillary sinuses volumes, and (e) present incidental findings in the paranasal sinuses among the study patients.     

3D anatomo-radiological basis of endoscopic surgery of the paranasal sinuses

Minimal invasive endoscopic operations in the paranasal sinuses rely on the detailed knowledge of the individual anatomy, in particular the relationship of the sinus system to neighbouring delicate and vulnerable anatomical structures. Digital CT and MR images are used for 3D reconstruction of the operating field, providing the basis for most 3D navigation systems, guiding the surgeon in close vicinity to delicate structures and so minimising the risk of iatrogenic trauma. We report the application of the ISG Viewing Wand, a computer-assisted navigation system, in endoscopic endonasal surgery related to the anatomy of the paranasal sinuses.     

Myoepithelial carcinoma of the orbit: a clinicopathological and histopathological study

Tran TL, Broholm H, Daugaard S, Fugleholm K, Poulsgaard L, Prause JU, Kennedy SM, Heegaard S. Myoepithelial carcinoma of the orbit: a clinicopathological and histopathological study. APMIS 2010; 118: 324–30. Two cases of invasive myoepithelial carcinoma arising from the paranasal sinuses and invading the orbit are presented. Patient 1, a 53‐year‐old man, had a 3‐month history of proptosis, pain and epiphora of the right eye. The second patient, a 24‐year‐old man, had for a week been complaining of protrusion of his left eye and of orbital pain. Computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging revealed tumour masses in the frontal, ethmoidal and maxillary sinuses with invasion of the orbit and the frontal lobe. Biopsies from both cases showed spindle and epithelioid tumour cells. Mitotic figures were frequent. Immunohistochemical staining showed positive reaction for bcl‐2, calponin, cytokeratins, CD99, S100, muscle‐specific antigen, smooth muscle antigen and vimentin. The Ki‐67 index was between 30–50% and 5–25%, respectively. Ultrastructurally, intermediate filaments, perinuclear tonofilaments and desmosomes were present. Based on these findings, a diagnosis of myoepithelial carcinoma of mixed cell type in both cases was evident. Both patients died shortly after the diagnosis was made even though both underwent radical surgery. Myoepithelial carcinoma of the paranasal sinuses is very rare and only six cases have been reported previously. We present the first two cases of myoepithelial carcinoma in the paranasal sinuses with invasion of the orbit. This is also the first report of myoepithelial carcinoma arising in the ethmoidal sinus.     

Perennial allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis: correlation with rhinologic risk factors

BACKGROUND: The reported association of allergy and sinusitis varies greatly between study, and the exact role of allergy in predisposing to sinusitis is not clear. We attempted to determine whether patients with perennial allergic rhinitis are at greater risk of developing sinusitis with respect to a control group, and to determine whether there is a correlation between rhinomanometry, endoscopy, and nasal swab, and computed tomography (CT) findings. METHODS: Forty adult patients with perennial allergic rhinitis underwent CT scans of the paranasal sinuses, and the results were then compared to CTs of the paranasal sinuses of 30 control subjects. All allergic patients underwent nasal endoscopy, nasal swab, and active anterior rhinomanometry, and the results were studied in relation to the CT findings. RESULTS: We found sinusitis in 67.5% of the allergic patients and in 33.4% of the controls, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.017). Twenty-three patients had a positive nasal swab; 22 showed increased nasal resistance on rhinomanometry, and 36 had positive endoscopy, but the association of CT findings with endoscopy, rhinomanometry, or nasal swab was not statistically significant (P = 0.583, P = 1.00, P = 0.506, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Allergic rhinitis is often associated with sinusitis, but the underlying mechanism has yet to be determined. Evidently, factors other than classical pathogen growth and mechanical factors, such as the association of the various factors and immunologic mechanisms, may contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic sinusitis in allergic patients.     

Sarcomatoid carcinoma involving the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus: a rare and highly progressive tumor

Sarcomatoid carcinoma of nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses is an extremely rare malignant neoplasm. We report a case of sarcomatoid carcinoma arising in the left-side nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses in a 65-year-old man who was hospitalized for left-side nasal epistaxis, odor sensation. Histopathologic examination revealed the tumor was composed of pleomorphic spindle and round cells with frequent mitosis, and no carcinomatous component was recognized. Immunohistochemistry revealed coexpression of cytokeratin and vimentin by the tumor cells, whereas expressions of EMA, S-100, HMB-45, Melan-A, LCA, MyoD1, CD34, CK7, F8 and desmin were negative. The diagnosis was sarcomatoid carcinoma of nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. The neoplasm was partial resected by nasal endoscopic surgery following chemoradiation therapy immediately. But it was still progressing rapidly, and had a poor prognosis.     

Use of standard radiography to diagnose paranasal sinus disease of asthmatic children in Taiwan: comparison with computed tomography.

Paranasal sinus disease and bronchial asthma are frequently associated. Computed tomography imaging is currently the most reliable method for confirming the diagnosis of sinusitis. Due to the cost and amount of radiation during computed tomography, our aim was to analyze whether standard radiography, under computed tomography-control, had a reasonable degree of confidence in the diagnosis of sinusitis. Fifty-three asthmatic patients (42 males and 11 females) with a mean age of 9 years (range 4-14) were enrolled. We evaluated the maxillary sinuses, ethmoidal sinuses, frontal sinuses, and sphenoidal sinuses using standard radiography (Waters' view, Caldwell view, and lateral view) and compared with computed tomography (coronal views), the latter served as a standard. Computed tomography (CT) showed paranasal sinusitis in 58% (31/53) of the asthmatic children. Compared with the results of computed tomography, standard radiography revealed a sensitivity of 81.1% and a specificity of 72.7% for maxillary sinusitis. The sensitivity and specificity for ethmoidal, frontal, and sphenoidal sinusitis were 51.8%, 84.8%; 47.3%, 87.2%; and 40.8%, 93.3%, respectively. In 21 (40%) of the 53 patients, discrepancies were seen between the interpretations of standard radiography c and those of CT scans. In patients with maxillary sinusitis, the correlation between standard radiography and CT was good. However, ethmoidal, frontal, and sphenoidal sinusitis were poorly demonstrated using radiography. Standard radiography can be recommended as a screening method for maxillary sinusitis, but it is not recommended for the diagnosis of other paranasal sinusitis.     

A case report of an uncommon phaeoid fungal infection in nasal polyposis and review of literature

Nasal polyposis is an inflammatory condition of mucous membrane of the nose and paranasal sinuses with unknown aetiology. Massive nasal polyps can obstruct the nasal cavity causing discomfort and lowered quality of life. Thus, aetiological diagnosis is important for treatment, especially in recurrent nasal polyposis. We present a rare case of pansinusitis with bilateral ethmoidal polyps caused by an unusual phaeoid fungus Fonsecaea pedrosoi in a 65-year-old immunocompetent male from a rural background. The diagnosis was made by endoscopic nasal examination; high resolution computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses, detection of fungal hyphae in 10% potassium hydroxide wet mount and culture.