CT and MR imaging of the paranasal sinuses in cystic fibrosis. Correlation with microbiological and histopathological results.

Abstract

MR images were superior to CT in differentiating soft tissue masses in the paranasal sinuses in CF patients. Bacteria with potential for specialized iron uptake mechanisms were present in areas with signal void at the STIR sequence. Our hypothesis is that the MR "black hole sign" can be explained by paramagnetic properties related to bacterial agents.