Radiation exposure in paranasal sinus imaging

Abstract

Plain films of the paranasal sinus were the imaging technique most frequently used before the advent of computed tomography. With improved resolution, computed tomography imaging has become the standard for evaluating patients with disease of the paranasal sinuses. With the widespread availability of computed tomography scanning, patients are likely to undergo multiple examinations during the treatment of their disease. Concern has been raised over the radiation exposure to the patient, in particular, with regard to radiation-induced cataracts. The purpose of this study is to measure the radiation dose associated with a variety of techniques for imaging the paranasal sinuses. A cadaveric specimen with thermoluminescent dosimeters placed over the orbits was used to measure radiation exposure during plain-film imaging, limited computed tomography, standard axial and coronal computed tomography, thin-cut axial computed tomography, and thin-cut coronal computed tomography. The measured dose in all these techniques is less than 4% of the acute dose associated with cataract formation.

3D Computed Tomographic Analysis of Frontal Recess Anatomy in Patients Without Frontal Sinusitis

“…Despite some concerns about radiation dosage associated with this section CT scanning, the radiation dose from such scans is significantly below the radiation dose necessary for acute cataracts. 18 Furthermore, Kew et al 19 have already established importance of sagittal images for the characterization of frontal recess anatomy; in the current paper, the sagittal CT images were critical in the assessment of ANC, FC, SBC, and FBC. Finally, it is conceivable that the differences in prevalence reported in the various studies represent true differences in patient anatomy that occur in various patient populations.…”

“…Certainly, the current study's CT scan data (high‐resolution, 1‐mm axial images with coronal and sagittal reconstructions) provide a more complete representation of patient anatomy, when compared with a standard 3‐mm coronal sinus CT, which is the mainstay of most CT sinus anatomy studies. Despite some concerns about radiation dosage associated with this section CT scanning, the radiation dose from such scans is significantly below the radiation dose necessary for acute cataracts 18 . Furthermore, Kew et al 19 have already established importance of sagittal images for the characterization of frontal recess anatomy; in the current paper, the sagittal CT images were critical in the assessment of ANC, FC, SBC, and FBC.…”

Radiation Dose to the Eyes and Parotids during CT of the Sinuses

“…The radiation dose from such a protocol appears to be within the range of previously measured values with spiral scans. 3,4,7,10,12,13 Lower doses, in the 10-20 mGy range, have been described, 6,9,14,15 but these have been typically obtained with different protocols. Our measured doses are still much lower than the 500 mGy threshold for lens damage and thus appear to be clinically safe, especially as patients are unlikely to need more than 1 or 2 such fine scans in a lifetime.…”