Magnetic resonance imaging study of incidental findings in the paranasal sinuses and ostiomeatal complex

Abstract

Purpose This study aimed to assess incidental abnormal findings in the paranasal sinuses and anatomical variations of the ostiomeatal complex (OMC) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Materials and Methods MRI scans of 616 patients (mean age, 44.0±19.4 years) were evaluated. Prior to obtaining the MRI scans, a checklist of patients’ clinical symptoms was filled out after obtaining their consent. The Lund-Mackay classification was used to assess the paranasal sinuses and OMC. The prevalence of abnormal findings and their associations with patients’ age, sex, and subjective symptoms were analyzed by the chi-square test, independent-sample t-test, and analysis of variance. The level of significance was set at 0.05. Results Abnormal findings in the paranasal sinuses were detected in 32.0% of patients, with a significantly higher prevalence in males ( P <0.05), but no significant association with age ( P >0.05). Epithelial thickening and retention cyst were the most common abnormal findings in the paranasal sinuses. According to the Lund-Mackay classification, 93% of the study population had normal sinuses (score<4). Concha bullosa and paradoxical concha were detected in 15.3% and 3.4%, respectively, with no significant association with the presence of septal deviation or Lund-Mackay classification ( P >0.05). Conclusion Considering the relatively high prevalence of abnormal findings in the paranasal sinuses, it appears that clinical symptoms alone are not sufficient to diagnose sinusitis. A more accurate strategy would be to assess radiographic images of the paranasal sinuses and use a classification system. Sinusitis should be suspected in patients receiving a high score in this classification.

Assessment of Paranasal Sinus Pathology in Patients Presenting for Brain MRI as Referred From General Practice or Neurologist Physicians

“…The present study showed retention cysts in about 14.3%, while Tarp et al reported retention cysts in 15% of cases, which is almost the same as the present study [ 14 ]. A previous study by Yousefi et al showed that mucosal thickening was the most common abnormal finding, followed by retention cysts, which aligns with the present study [ 15 ]. The results of the current study are supported by previous studies that investigated the prevalence of various paranasal sinus pathology, which found that mucosal thickening was the most common finding, followed by the retention cysts [ 5 , 10 ].…”

Inflammatory Modifications in Paranasal Sinuses and Ostiomeatal Complex Anatomical Variations in Jet Aircraft Pilots: A Computed Tomography Study

“…Inflammatory and infectious diseases are relatively frequent in the worldwide population 3 and exhibit a wide range of symptoms and imaging features, from asymptomatic cases with incidental imaging findings 4 to spread infection in adjacent structures into the face and head, with life-threatening complications. 3…”

“…2 Additionally, they act absorbing the impacts to cranial structures as well as reducing the weight of the skull. 2 Inflammatory and infectious diseases are relatively frequent in the worldwide population 3 and exhibit a wide range of symptoms and imaging features, from asymptomatic cases with incidental imaging findings 4 to spread infection in adjacent structures into the face and head, with life-threatening complications. 3 It has been documented that some populations have higher risk to the development of inflammatory sinus disease, such as patients with cystic fibrosis, 5 acute optical neuritis, 6 inflammatory bowel disease, 7 coal workers, 8 or the presence of maxillary teeth roots within the maxillary sinus.…”