The Correlation Between the Radiological Examination and the Irrigation Findings in Maxillary Sinusitis

Abstract

The ENT-doctor has a right to demand a high degree of confidence from the radiological examination in establishing the diagnosis of maxilary sinusitis, with or without fluid content. Previous investigations have compared the radiological changes with the irrigation findings. The present investigation reports a similar comparison but correlates further the fluid demonstrated by radiological examination with secretion demonstrated by irrigation. Fluid content was demonstrated by irrigation in 86% of the completely opaque sinuses. In cases with radiological mucous membrane thickening, secretion was demonstrated by irrigation in 60% but among these cases a fluid level was only demonstrated radiologi-cally in 24% when four standard projections are used. If a 5th projection is added, i.e. occipitomental with the patient recumbent and the affected side downwards, the radiological confidence of demonstrated fluid increases to 88%. This projection is recommended for routine purposes in cases where the four standard projections disclose mucous membrane thickening but no fluid.