MRI of the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity

In the evaluation of soft tissue masses of the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity, MR has excelled, not only in sensitivity, but in specificity. Without question, MR has improved the diagnostic accuracy for distinguishing neoplasms from inflammatory diseases. This improved discrimination is primarily due to the combination of the superior soft tissue contrast of MRI and the widely disparate T2-relaxation values between the neoplasms and inflammatory processes indigenous to this anatomic area. MR's expanding role as the primary imaging modality for clinical problems in the sinonasal region will accompany the decrease in exam time and increase in spatial resolution. In the past few years there has been a rapid expansion in MRI's utility for a variety of clinical situations in the sinonasal region. This trend should accelerate, especially with the decrease in exam time and increase in spatial resolution that will accompany other expeditious technologic advancements.