Abstract

Background: CT scan of nasal sinus is the gold standard test in diagnosing Sino-nasal abnormalities3 which has the advantage of being able to show fine anatomic detail in serial tomographic sections. Indeed, CT scan of sinuses reinforces the clinical diagnosis in suspected Sino-nasal diseases. It presents as a confirmatory method to plan systematic medical and surgical treatment.

Objective: The purpose of the study is to determine the frequency of incidental Sino-nasal abnormalities on brain computed tomography scans and to determine the predictors of incidental Sino-nasal abnormalities on brain CT scans.

Methodology: This case control study was conducted at Department of Radiology, Teaching Hospital, University of Lahore, Lahore. The sample size of 374 was estimated by using 95% confidence level with 5% margin of error and taking an expected percentage of incidental Sino-nasal abnormalities as 59.97%. Frontal, maxillary, sphenoidal and ethmoidal sinuses were focused. Coronal and sagittal reconstructed images were reviewed where necessary. Presence of air‑fluid levels or mucosal thickening was regarded as positive findings.

Results: The data consisted of 374 patients. The data was gathered from both males and females, 47% (176 patients) population was male whereas 52.9% (198 patients) was female. Mean age + S.D of the participants was 48.25+ 21.28. Out of 374 participants 31.6% (118 participants) population had Sino-nasal abnormality whereas remaining 68.4% (256 participants) population had no Sino-nasal abnormality.

Conclusion: Incidental Sino-nasal abnormalities were infrequent. The participants of all ages showed presence of Sino-nasal abnormalities, maxillary sinusitis being the commonest of all. Keywords: Sinusitis, Incidental, Prevalence, Maxillary