Olfactory dysfunction in nasal polyposis: correlation with computed tomography findings

AIMS: This study evaluates if a computed tomography (CT) scan is useful to assess the olfactory loss in sinonasal disease, and if a preoperative CT scan has a predictive value for the long-term outcome regarding olfaction. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with nasal polyposis were included. Olfactory function was assessed with the 'Sniffin' Sticks' test and subjective perception recorded with a visual analogue scale. CT scans were assessed with the Lund-Mackay system and the Damm nasal segmentation. Patients were retested after endoscopic sinus surgery in a follow-up appointment at least 1 year later. RESULTS: Disease in the upper meatus and the posterior portion of the middle meatus strongly affects olfactory function. Lund-Mackay scores were significantly correlated with preoperative olfactory test results. Preoperative subjective ratings had a significant correlation only with present disease in the anterior upper meatus. Postoperative results were significantly decreased. Their relative percentage change was correlated only with the preoperative presence of disease in the anterior upper meatus. No correlation was found between the Lund-Mackay score and the postoperative olfactory results. CONCLUSIONS: Olfactory dysfunction in nasal polyposis is strongly related to specific obstructed nasal areas. A CT scan has no predictive value for the long-term surgical outcome regarding olfaction.     

The role of septal deviation in adult chronic rhinosinusitis: a study of 500 patients

Septal deviation is a common finding and its role in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of septal deviation in the region of the ostiomeatal complex with regards to sinus disease, as staged by the Lund-Mackay scoring system in a group of adult patients with symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis. Five hundred consecutive patients who had undergone CT scanning of the paranasal sinuses for possible chronic sinus disease between Sept. 2002 and Dec. 2003 were recruited. Septal deviation at the ostiomeatal complex on coronal CT scan was evaluated using Radworks diagnostic 5.1 software (Applicare Medical Imaging BU). There were 219 patients with CT positive sinus disease. 281 of the patients had normal sinus CT scans (control group) and were therefore patients with rhinitis rather than rhinosinusitis. Our study showed no significant difference between the chronic rhinosinusitis group and the control group with regards to septal deviation. Nor were we able to demonstrate any correlation between the severity of septal deformity at the ostiomeatal complex region and the severity of sinus disease or OMC disease.     

The role of maxillary sinus puncture on the diagnosis and treatment of patients with hospital-acquired rhinosinusitis

Rhinosinusitis is one of the most commom causes of fever of unknown origin in critically ill patients and should be systematically searched.Objective: This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic effect of maxillary sinus puncture performed at the bedside in patients with infective rhinosinusitis hospitalized in an Intensive Care Unit of a high complexity care hospital.Materials and Methods: This retrospective study looks into patients on mechanical ventilation with fever of unknown origin and signs of rhinosinusitis on CT images who were submitted to inferior meatus maxillary sinus puncture.Results: The total study sample consisted of 27 patients (70.3% male; mean age 45.3 years). The most common Intensive Care Unit admission diagnoses were head trauma and stroke. CT scans revealed the maxillary (85.2%) and sphenoid (74.1%) sinuses were the most involved paranasal sinuses. Middle meatus purulent drainage was seen in 30.7% of the nasal cavities. Fever was reduced in 70.4% of the patients after puncture (p < 0.001). The most commonly found organisms in sinus aspirates were Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii.Conclusion: Maxillary sinus puncture performed at the bedside of the patients is an important diagnostic and theraupetic tool for critically ill patients.     

Correlation of allergy and severity of sinus disease

Allergy is an important consideration in the evaluation of patients with rhinosinusitis. Several studies have addressed staging systems for rhinosinusitis based on the extent of disease present on computed tomography (CT) scanning. The severity and extent of sinus disease present on CT imaging helps guide decisions regarding medical and surgical treatment options. This study evaluates the severity of sinus disease in allergic and nonallergic patients. A total of 42 patients at our institution underwent both modified RAST and coronal sinus CT scan in the evaluation of their rhinosinusitis symptoms. A single, blinded staff neuroradiologist staged all 42 CT scans using the Lund-Mackay staging system. None of the patients had undergone sinus surgery. Age, sex, co-morbidities, asthma, smoking, RAST score, total IgE, and CT staging score were analyzed. Allergic patients were found to have a higher CT scan score (mean score = 12) when compared to nonallergic patients (mean score = 6), indicating more extensive sinus disease (p = 0.03). We conclude that allergy is a significant factor in the development of rhinosinusitis, and allergic patients are more likely to demonstrate advanced disease on CT scan when compared to nonallergic patients.     

Study of surgeons' agreement on the presence of bony anomalies on coronal CT of paranasal sinuses

We conducted a study to determine the level of agreement among five surgeons who assessed the surgical risk to key neighboring structures prior to endoscopic sinus surgery as depicted on coronal computed tomography (CT). The five observers studied preoperative CT scans that had been performed on 29 patients. Two scoring systems were used to rate each scan; the Lund-Mackay system and our own risk-assessment system. Kappa analysis was used to measure interobserver agreement. We found that the overall level of agreement among the five surgeons according to the Lund-Mackay criteria was moderate, while agreement according to our risk-assessment system was only slight. We conclude that surgeons' agreement on the bony detail of risk structures is not as strong as our agreement on other factors, such as staging disease.     

Screening sinus CT scans in pediatric bone marrow transplant patients

OBJECTIVE: To determine how sinus disease noted on pre-bone marrow transplant (BMT) screening sinus computed tomography (CT) scans relates to subsequent development of clinical and/or radiographic sinusitis and correlates with overall prognosis. METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records, CT scans, and BMT database statistics was performed on all pediatric BMT recipients from January 1992 through December 1997. Fifty-four pre-BMT CT scans were performed on 51 children, aged from 2 months to 17 years. Sinus disease was staged according to criteria established by Lund and Kennedy [V.J. Lund, D.W. Kennedy, Ann. Otol. Rhinol. Laryngol. S167 (1995) 17-21.]. RESULTS: The average age of BMT recipients was 6.8 years. Most common oncologic diagnoses included acute myelogenous leukemia (37%), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (17%), and stage IV neuroblastoma (13%). Screening sinus CT scans were routinely performed 1-3 months prior to BMT. On pre-BMT CT scans 48% of the patients had no evidence of sinus disease, 25.9% mild disease, 9.3% moderate disease, and 16.7% severe disease. Two-thirds (66.7%) of patients with severe sinus disease on pre-BMT CT scans experienced clinical sinusitis post-BMT. In contrast, sinus symptoms were much less common (21.4%) in those with mild disease on CT scan. Overall, 39.3% of patients with sinus abnormalities on pre-BMT CT scans had clinical sinusitis during their post-BMT course, compared to 23.1% of those with normal CT scans pre-BMT. In addition, those patients demonstrating sinus disease on their pre-BMT CT scan were more likely to have radiographic sinusitis post-BMT (25.0%) than those with no disease (7.7%). Seventy-eight percent of those with severe sinusitis had died by 2-year follow up, compared to 69.2% of patients with normal CT scans pre-BMT. CONCLUSIONS: Severity of radiographic sinus disease on pre-BMT CT scans was noted to correlate with clinical and radiographic sinusitis later in the post-BMT course, and was associated with a trend toward decreased survival. Pre-BMT CT scans may be useful in determining which children need early and more aggressive intervention for clinical sinusitis post-BMT.     

Computed tomographic assessment of chronic rhinosinusitis with asthma

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in the extent of disease in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) both with and without asthma. METHODS: Medical records and computed tomographic (CT) scans of 48 consecutive asthmatic patients and 523 nonasthmatic patients with CRS between April 1995 and December 2001 were reviewed, retrospectively. Each sinus in the ostiomeatal complex CT scans was assigned a score of 0-2 according to the extent of disease using the Lund-Mackay scoring system, and the ratios of the score of each sinus to the total score were analyzed for the difference between the asthmatic and nonasthmatic groups. A Mann-Whitney test was used for statistical evaluation, with p < 0.05 accepted as statistically significant. RESULTS: The ratios of ethmoid sinus score to total score were higher in asthmatic patients than in nonasthmatic patients (p < 0.001), and the ratios of the score of maxillary sinus to total score were lower in asthmatic patients than in nonasthmatic patients (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that the ethmoid sinus is the preferred site of CRS in patients with coexisting asthma.     

Eosinophilia in the ethmoid mucosa and its relationship to the severity of inflammation in chronic rhinosinusitis

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze histopathologically mucosal inflammation in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. In addition, we assessed tissue eosinophilia in relation to the severity of inflammation and to the computer tomographic (CT) findings. METHODS: Forty-eight pathological sinus mucosa specimens obtained during functional endoscopic sinus surgery were stained by hematoxvlin and eosin. Total inflammatory cells and eosinophils were quantified. The preoperative CT scans were scored by the staging system of Lund-MacKay. RESULTS: The grade of the eosinophilic infiltration in the diseased sinus mucosa correlated significantly with the severity of the mucosal inflammation. Allergy or asthma had no effect on the proportion of the eosinophilic infiltrate. The CT scan scores assessed by the Lund-MacKay system correlated significantly with the severity of the inflammatory cellular infiltrate. The correlation between the CT scan scores and the eosinophilic infiltrate of the mucosa was close to significant. CONCLUSION: Eosinophilic mucosal inflammation represents the most severe inflammatory changes of the mucosa. Twenty to forty percent of the patients with chronic rhinosinusitis had no eosinophilic inflammation of the mucosa. The CT-staging system of Lund-Mackay correlated with the extent of mucosal inflammation.     

Randomized, controlled, study of absorbable nasal packing on outcomes of surgical treatment of rhinosinusitis with polyposis

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to establish the effect of absorbable dressing on postoperative discomfort and mucosal healing after sinus surgery. A prospective, randomized, controlled, blinded study was performed. METHODS: Patients 18-80 years old undergoing sinus surgery were enrolled in the study. Each patient's ethmoid cavities were randomized to receive either absorbable dressing or the standard nonabsorbable sinus packs. Therefore, patients served as their own control. Preoperative as a CT scan and intraoperative endoscopic photographs were used for staging within the Lund-Mackay system. The procedure was performed as the indicated by extent of disease. The remaining absorbable dressing was removed at 2 weeks by endoscopic suctioning in the clinic. Patients completed questionnaires regarding sinus symptoms and discomfort. Postoperative endoscopic appearance was graded by a single rhinologist. Length of follow-up was 6 months. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients were randomized. There were no significant adverse events in either group. Patients' symptom scores improved at 2 weeks and at 1 and 3 months when compared with preoperation. Both groups had similar preoperative grade of disease and extent of surgery. Endoscopic appearance of the absorbable cavity showed a trend toward improvement at 2 weeks (p < 0.05). Endoscopic appearance showed a similar trend toward improvement at 1, 3, and 6 months in the absorbable group (NS). Twenty-seven patients had a strong preference for a particular nasal packing of which 16 of 27 (59.3%) patients preferred the absorbable dressing. CONCLUSION: The absorbable dressing showed a trend toward positive effect on early wound healing and in late results. Strong patient preference was indicated for the absorbable dressing over standard sponges.     

New bone formation in unilateral rhinosinusitis

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) frequently shows abnormal bone thickening in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. The sinus bone may be not in a static state, and remodeling occurs in response to chronic inflammation. METHODS: Ostiomeatal unit CT scans were reviewed in 29 patients with unilateral rhinosinusitis (URS) undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery. We defined new bone formation (NBF) as a remarkable bone thickening or hyperostosis of the intrinsic sinus walls in comparison with the normal side. Bony CT scores of sinus walls were expressed by the Hounsfield unit (HU) and soft tissue CT scores were measured by the Lund-Mackay system. RESULTS: Almost all of the NBF was located at the maxillary and anterior ethmoid sinuses (83.7%), and it was significantly increased in patients with higher Lund-Mackay scores (p = 0.043). The HU values were significantly different between NBF and non-NBF contralateral sides (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The HU may be helpful to diagnose and quantify the bone remodeling in URS.     

Correlation between facial pain or headache and computed tomography in rhinosinusitis in Canadian and U.S. subjects

OBJECTIVES: Objectives were 1) to determine whether a correlation exists between facial pain or headache and sinus disease severity by computed tomography (CT) scan in patients with rhinosinusitis and 2) to compare disease severity and pain perception in two geographically diverse North American patient populations. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective patient questionnaire before CT scan of the paranasal sinuses. METHODS: Patients with refractory rhinosinusitis were recruited at the University of Texas Medical Branch (Galveston, TX) and the University of Alberta (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada). Before CT scanning, patients completed a pain questionnaire. All scans were interpreted by one neuroradiologist and were scored using the Lund-McKay, Harvard, and Kennedy staging systems for rhinosinusitis. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients completed questionnaires (27 were Canadian). There was no correlation between pain severity and disease severity reflected by any of the three staging systems used (P >.05). The mean pain score for the U.S. patients was 7.3, and for Canadian patients, 5.2. The mean CT scores for U.S. versus Canadian patients were as follows: Lund-McKay, 2.6 versus 6.6; Harvard, 0.7 versus 1.0; and Kennedy, 1.4 versus 2.2. The Canadian patients had more severe disease on CT scan (Lund-McKay, P 相似文献   

Test-Retest Reliability of Computed Tomography in the Assessment of Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Objective: Computed tomography (CT) of the paranasal sinuses has emerged as the standard test for the assessment of chronic rhinosinusitis, as evidenced by the emergence of several CT-based staging systems. Despite its central role in the diagnosis and treatment planning for chronic rhinosinusitis, the sinus CT represents a “snapshot in time.” This study was conducted to determine the reliability of the CT scan for chronic sinus disease: are the CT findings in chronic rhinosinusitis stable over time? Methods: A prospective series of patients scheduled for endoscopic sinus surgery was evaluated. A total of 45 patients received two CT scans: an initial scan obtained during routine diagnostic evaluation, and a second scan performed for use as part of an image-guided sinus surgery protocol. No surgical intervention occurred between scans. The patients' scans were staged according to the Lund system by a blinded observer. The correlation between scans for each patient was determined using the matched pairs t test and the Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: The mean time interval between scans was 122.6 days (range, 5–364 d). The average Lund scores for the initial and second scans were 13.56 and 13.27, respectively. The Lund score for 5 patients remained the same, increased in 22 patients, and decreased in 18 patients. Overall, 75.6% of patients' second scans were within ±2 points of the first scan Lund score. The mean change in score between scans of —0.29 was not significant (P = .606, paired samples t test). The Pearson correlation coefficient between scans was 0.796 (P > .0001). Conclusions: CT scan assessment of chronic rhinosinusitis is a reliable test. The CT findings in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis remain consistent over time.     

The impact of sinus computed tomography on treatment decisions for chronic sinusitis

OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of sinus computed tomography (CT) on treatment decisions by otolaryngologists and to explore the factors leading to choice of surgical treatment for patients suspected of having chronic sinusitis. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: A tertiary academic medical center. PATIENTS: Questionnaires were administered to 3 otolaryngologists in a tertiary academic institution regarding diagnosis and treatment decisions in 27 patients suspected of having chronic sinusitis, before and after they reviewed sinus CT scans. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The dichotomous decisions regarding surgical or nonsurgical treatment and the agreement of treatment decisions among surgeons were evaluated. The factors strongly influencing surgeons' treatment decisions regarding patients selected for surgery were also determined. RESULTS: The dichotomous treatment decisions were changed in one third of patients (9 of 27) after the sinus CT scans were reviewed. The agreement of treatment decisions among the 3 surgeons was markedly improved after they reviewed sinus CT scans. The factors favorably influencing surgical treatment were obstruction of the ostiomeatal complex on CT and concordance of CT abnormality with a patient's symptoms. Lund-Mackay stage, symptoms, and corticosteroid or antibiotic use were not significant predictors. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the common belief that treatment decisions for chronic sinusitis should be solely based on clinical grounds, with sinus CT providing only anatomic detail before surgery, our study indicates that the decision to perform surgery was altered by CT in a substantial portion of the patients. In our preliminary study, CT increased the tendency to elect surgical treatment by all 3 surgeons.     

Computed tomography findings after endoscopic sinus surgery with preserving or enlarging maxillary sinus ostium surgery

Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is the main surgical approach in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) after failure of medical treatment. ESS is based on the theory that obstruction of the maxillary sinus ostium is mainly behind the pathogenesis of CRS. Controversy remains concerning the enlargement of the natural maxillary sinus ostium. The aim of this study was to compare computed tomography (CT) findings after preservation or enlargement of the maxillary sinus ostium. Thirty patients with non-polypous CRS underwent randomized endoscopic sinus surgery with uncinectomy on one side and additional middle meatal antrostomy on the other side. Lund-Mackay (LM) scores and the ostium diameters were analysed from CT scans taken preoperatively and nine months postoperatively, and were used for comparison of the two operative techniques. In addition, the correlation between CT findings and subjective outcomes was studied. Comparison of the preoperative and postoperative CT scans revealed that significant reduction of LM score was achieved on both sides, regardless of the type of procedure performed. The postoperative area of the ostium remained significantly larger on the antrostomy side compared to the uncinectomy side. A large maxillary sinus ostium size seems to associate with lower postoperative LM score, but does not seem to provide superior symptom relief.     

改良鼻窦CT嗅区评分对慢性鼻-鼻窦炎鼻息肉嗅觉评估及预后判断的价值

目的　探讨改良鼻窦CT嗅区评分对慢性鼻-鼻窦炎鼻息肉患者术前嗅觉功能评估及术后嗅觉功能判断的价值。方法　前瞻性分析慢性鼻-鼻窦炎鼻息肉患者54例,排除合并哮喘、变应性鼻炎和伴有可能影响嗅觉功能的系统性因素。所有患者均接受功能性鼻内镜手术和规范的药物治疗,并行术后随访。根据鼻窦CT冠状位嗅裂区堵塞程度评为0、1、2分,分别对嗅裂前区（anterior olfactory cleft score,AOCS）（中鼻甲对应嗅裂区）和嗅裂后区（posterior olfactory cleft score,POCS）（上鼻甲对应嗅裂区）进行评分。术前所有患者均进行T&T嗅觉检测、嗅觉VAS评分和改良鼻窦CT嗅区评分和鼻窦CT Lund-Mackay评分,术后行T&T嗅觉检测、嗅觉VAS评分。分别将患者术前及术后6个月嗅觉阈值、嗅觉VAS评分与改良鼻窦CT嗅区评分和Lund-Mackay评分进行线性回归分析。结果　本研究纳入慢性鼻-鼻窦炎鼻息肉患者54例,其中男性36例,女性18例,平均年龄47.9岁（24～67岁）,其中30例患者随访达到6个月。线性回归分析结果显示,患者T&T嗅觉阈值与嗅觉VAS评分有显著相关性（Pearson相关系数r =0.70,P <0.01）。手 术前改良鼻窦CT嗅区评分AOCS和POCS均与嗅觉阈值评分、嗅觉VAS评分显著正相关（P <0.001）,Lund-Mackay评分与嗅觉阈值也有弱相关性（R 2=0.262,P =0.005）。手术前鼻窦CT嗅区评分AOCS、POCS与术后6个月的嗅觉阈值亦有相关性（R 2=0.211、0.181,P =0.014、0.024）,且术前AOCS与术后6个月嗅觉阈值正相关性更强。术前Lund-Mackay评分与术后6个月嗅觉阈值无相关性（R 2=0.073,P =0.165）。结论　改良鼻窦CT嗅区评分可作为慢性鼻-鼻窦炎鼻息肉患者术前嗅觉功能和功能性鼻内镜手术后嗅觉功能预后的客观评价指标。中鼻甲对应的嗅裂区的病变程度对嗅觉功能评价作用更重要。     

Use of intraoperative CT scanning in endoscopic sinus surgery: a preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: Image-guided functional endoscopic sinus surgery (IG-FESS) using preoperatively acquired CT images for navigation has been proven to facilitate complicated endoscopic sinus procedures and decrease the need for revision procedures. However, this system does not render the intraoperative anatomic changes that occur throughout the procedure. The purpose of this study is to show the technical feasibility and the potential impact of intraoperative CT scanning in conjunction with real-time update of computer-assisted navigation during ESS. METHODS: Intraoperative CT scanning was performed in selected patients undergoing FESS. A scan was taken before the conclusion of surgery performed by skilled endoscopic sinus surgeons. The scans were evaluated for residual disease or cellular partitions. Where indicated, intraoperative scan was then loaded into the image guidance system and intraoperative scans were then used for additional IGS. The scan findings were documented. RESULTS: Intraoperatively acquired CT scans were obtained successfully in <40 seconds and able to be loaded into the image guidance system within minutes. All surgeries were preformed without complication. New information obtained from the intraoperative CT scan led to alteration in the surgical plan in 30% of patients. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative CT scanning can be preformed with currently available technology and has the potential to improve the extent of surgery in patients with complicated anatomy and extensive disease.     

Relationship between sinusitis and adenoid size in pediatric age group

OBJECTIVES: We sought to examine the relationship between adenoid volume and the stage of rhinosinusitis, as well as the relationship between age and adenoid size. METHODS: Forty-two children complaining of nasal discharge, whose paranasal sinus computed tomographic scans had been obtained, were involved in the study. The patients with adenoid enlargement underwent adenoidectomy. The volumes of adenoid vegetation were measured in square centimeters, and paranasal sinus computed tomographic scans were classified according to the Lund-Mackay staging system. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference existed between patients whose Lund-Mackay scores were 0 and those with scores greater than 0. There seems to be no correlation between the Lund-Mackay score and the degree of adenoid vegetation. CONCLUSIONS: Adenoid vegetation may cause nasal discharge that is not necessarily due to sinusitis. We could not find any supportive data for the statement "The greater the adenoid tissue, the more extensive the sinusitis."     

Neurologic diagnosis and treatment in patients with computed tomography and nasal endoscopy negative facial pain

OBJECTIVE: To determine the helpfulness of specialist neurology referral for patients with facial pain, a normal sinus computed tomography (CT) scan, and normal nasal endoscopy findings. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective identification of patients and analysis of data approved by the Institutional Review Board. METHODS: The data of 104 consecutive patients presenting with facial pain, a normal sinus CT scan, and normal nasal endoscopy findings were reviewed. The patients presented to a single rhinologist in a tertiary care institution. All patients were referred for specialist neurologic evaluation and potential treatment. Further information was obtained from a patient survey. RESULTS: Of the 104 patients, 81 were women and 23 were men. The average age was 46 years (range, 22-85). Fifty-six had clear CT scans, 48 had minimal change, and all had negative endoscopies. Twenty-nine had previous unsuccessful sinus surgery. The average follow-up period was 10.5 months. Forty of 75 patients seeing a neurologist were seen on multiple occasions. Four percent of patients seen by a neurologist had an unsuspected serious intracranial diagnosis. The most common diagnoses were migraine (37%), rebound headache (17%), chronic daily headache (17%), and obstructive sleep apnea (16%). Overall, 58% improved on medical therapy; 60% of those with a clear CT scan improved, and 53% of those with minimal change on CT scan improved (P = .749). CONCLUSIONS: Facial pain remains a difficult symptom to diagnose and treat in rhinologic practice. Patients often undergo surgery without help. Most patients with facial pain, a normal sinus CT scan, and normal endoscopy findings benefit from neurologic consultation. Serious intracranial pathologic conditions can be excluded and diagnosis-specific pharmacogenetic therapy instituted with improvement in more than 50%.     

Risk factors for recurrent sinus surgery in cystic fibrosis: review of a decade of experience

BACKGROUND: Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) who undergo endoscopic sinus surgery often require multiple revision procedures. Our objective was to identify risk factors for revision sinus surgery in patients with CF, to better identify this subset of patients who might be better suited for alternative interventions at their initial procedure. METHODS: Patients with CF who presented to our academic tertiary care sinus clinic between 1994 and 2003 were reviewed. Data were collected from CT scans using the Lund-Mackay scale. Data are collected on demographics, comorbidities, CF genotype, number and type of sinus surgeries, and pulmonary function tests. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients met inclusion criteria. Fifty patients were <18 years old at presentation. Forty-one patients were A508 homozygotes, 32 patients were A508 heterozygotes, and 5 patients were non-A508 heterozygotes. Respiratory comorbidities were asthma alone (28%) and aspirin triad (5%). Eighteen (22%) patients either smoked or lived with smokers. The mean Lund-Mackay score before the initial surgery was 16. Twenty patients were treated with medication only; 35 patients underwent 1 surgery; 14 patients underwent 2 surgeries; 8 patients underwent 3 surgeries; 2 patients underwent 4 surgeries; and 2 patients underwent 5 surgeries. Patients with higher Lund-Mackay scores at their initial CT were more likely to undergo repeat surgeries (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: CF patients with high Lund-Mackay scores at their initial surgery are more likely to undergo several revision surgeries. These patients should be considered for more alternative initial management of their sinuses.     

Significance of computed tomography pathology in chronic rhinosinusitis.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Multiple reports show that the extent of disease on computer tomography (CT) of the sinuses does not correlate with patients' subjective sinus symptom scores. In the current study, sinus symptom scores of patients with normal findings on sinus CT scans are compared with sinus symptom scores of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and with disease on CT of the sinuses. The objective is to determine the significance of CT disease in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective collection of data of consecutive patients seen for possible sinusitis. METHODS: Prospective data at a tertiary medical center were collected over an 8-month period. Computed tomography scans were graded according to Lund and MacKay, and patients were asked to grade each of the major and minor rhinosinusitis symptoms listed by the Rhinosinusitis Task Force from 0 to 10. A score of 0 was given for no symptom at all, and 10 indicated the most severe extent of a symptom. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients with sinus complaints had normal findings on sinus CT scans. The average scores for major and minor rhinosinusitis symptoms were 18.6 and 15, respectively. Twenty-six patients with sinus complaints had disease on CT of their sinuses. The average scores for major and minor rhinosinusitis symptoms for these patients were 42.9 and 22, respectively. Higher symptom scores were seen in the patients with CT disease, and the differences between these two groups were statistically significant (major symptom, P = .000001; minor symptom, P = .02). Patient symptom scores did not correlate with extent of disease on CT as previously reported (r = 0.16). CONCLUSION: The presence of CT disease translates to higher patient symptom scores compared with symptom scores of patients without CT disease.