Correlation between Presumed Chronic Sinusitis-Induced Pain and Paranasal Sinus Computed Tomographic Findings in Korea

• Published in: Journal of rhinology pp. 44 - 47
• Main Authors: 김성완, 황명구, 여승근, 노경섭, 차창일, 조중생
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 대한비과학회 01.05.2004
• Subjects: 이비인후과학
• ISSN: 1229-1498; 2384-4361

The correlation between facial pain and/or headache in patients with chronic sinusitis and localized findings on paranasal sinuscomputed tomography (CT) are poorly understood. So we prospectively evaluated the relationship of paranasal sinus pain symptomswith CT imaging. Fifty eight patients with headache and/or facial pain rated their pain in 9 areas at the time of CT scanningand 2 months after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). We scored the degree of air-fluid level, mucosal thickening, and mucusretention cysts using a grade scale of severity. The ostiomeatal unit, middle meatus and nasofrontal duct were also evaluated forpatency. Bivariate analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between patients’ pain, that was improved after ESS andCT findings. Among 58 patients who had facial pain and/or headache at the time of CT scan, the pain improved in 51 patientsafter ESS. Bivariate analysis failed to show any relationship between pain symptoms and CT findings in 51 patients. This studysuggests that findings on CT do not routinely correlate with the patients’ symptoms of facial pain or headache. CT should thereforebe reserved for delineating the anatomy and degree of sinus disease before surgical intervention. KCI Citation Count: 0