Paranasal Sinus Pathology in Allergic and Non-Allergic Respiratory Tract Diseases |
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Authors: | K M De Cleyn E A Kersschot L S De Clerck P M Ortmanns A M De Schepper H P Van Bever W J Stevens |
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Institution: | Department of Immunology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium;Department of Radiology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium;Pediatrics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium |
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Abstract: | Two hundred and seventy patients with asthma and/or rhinitis (162 or 60% allergic, 108 or 40% non-allergic) were studied for sinus pathology by means of standard X-rays and tomograms. Sinus pathology was defined as abnormal sinus X-rays, either on standard or tomography. Fifty-four percent of the X-rays were classified as abnormal based on mucosal thickening, loss of translucency of the cavities of polyps. Asthma was significantly more often associated with sinus X-ray abnormalities (65.1%) than rhinitis and/or chronic cough (44.4%). Loss of translucency of the cavities is more frequent in children, whereas mucosa thickening becomes more frequent with progressing age. Since in this prospective study the taking of X-rays of the sinuses was not dependent on or related to temporarily occurring symptoms which could be attributed to acute sinusitis, the presence of sinus abnormalities on X-rays can be considered as an indicator of the chronicity of airways diseases and might provide an indication for prophylactic therapy of the associated airway disease in a continuous way. The importance of sinus tomograms is stressed, since only 32.5% of the patients with mucosa thickening could be detected on standard X-rays. |
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Keywords: | asthma rhinitis sinusitis |
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