Publication:

Radiological significance of isolated ethmoid sinus infections in asymptomatic patients of recurrent acute rhinosinusitis

Background Recurrent acute rhinosinusitis (RARS) being a low form chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), is relatively under diagnosed many times because of lack of awareness regarding pattern of the disease presentation. Aim of the study is to evaluate the radiological significance of isolated ethmoid sinusitis in patients of RARS during the asymptomatic interval in between acute episodes of rhinosinusitis.

Methods Total 124 patients with history suggestive of RARS who had undergone computed tomography study of brain during April 2015 to October 2016 for indications other than sinonasal diseases, were evaluated for isolated ethmoid sinusitis in the department of Radiology. Patients having any inflammatory or expansile sinonasal masses were excluded.

Results Of total 124 patients of RARS aged from 18 to 70 years (mean age of 38.6 years), the study population included only seventy-two (58%) patients having isolated ethmoid sinus infections, were classified in to mild unilateral group I (46%) cases with grade I or II sinus infections and relatively severe bilateral group II (54%) cases having grade III or IV infections. Infective process involving two to three ethmoid cells each on either side is the most common variety encountered in 39% cases. Prevalence of infective process was fairly equal among all age groups. Statistical correlation between the severity of RARS in patients having group II variety of isolated ethmoid sinus infections was found highly significant.

Conclusions Isolated ethmoid sinus infections are commonly encountered CT findings in adult RARS patients while they are asymptomatic from acute episodes of rhinosinusitis.