Publication:

Chronic rhinosinusitis: the correlation between symptom severity score and findings on plain radiographs of the paranasal sinuses

Background Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common clinical problem with often refractory symptoms. Though computed tomography scan of the paranasal sinuses (PNS) is the radiological gold standard for confirming the diagnosis of CRS, it is not readily available and affordable in developing countries. Hence plain radiographs are heavily relied upon to confirm the diagnosis of CRS. The reliability and adequacy of plain sinus radiographs in combination with disease specific questionnaires in the management of CRS is still debatable. The objectives of the study were to determine the correlation between symptom severity score and findings on plain radiograph of the PNS in adult patients with CRS.

Methods This was an eight month prospective cross sectional study (April-November, 2014) of Fifty- two consecutive newly diagnosed adult patients with CRS.

Results Age of patients ranged from 19–91 years. Male to female ratio was 1:1.26. There was significant positive correlation between high and moderate symptom severity score (severe and moderate disease) with findings on plain radiograph of the PNS (p=0.032 and 0.048 respectively).

Conclusions The overall symptom severity score of CRS correlates with findings on the plain radiographs of patients with CRS especially in severe and moderate disease.