Radiological measurement of ethmoid sinus dimensions and itscorrelation with chronic rhinosinusitis

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis is defined as inflammation of the nose and paranasal sinuses characterized by two or more symptoms, one of which should either be nasal blockage or obstruction or congestion or nasal discharge, ±facial pain/pressure, ±reduction or loss of smell and either endoscopic signs of - nasal polyps and/or - mucopurulent discharge primarily from middle meatus and/or - oedema or mucosal obstruction primarily in middle meatus and/or CT changes like mucosal changes within the osteomeatal complex and/or sinuses. (EPOS 2020) Among Indians, this disease is more widespread than diabetes, asthma, or coronary heart disease. One in eight Indians suffer from chronic sinusitis caused by the inflammation of the nasal and throat lining, which results in the accumulation of mucus in the sinus cavity and pressure build-up in the face, eyes, and brain (2) Although the diagnosis of CRS is based primarily on clinical criteria, the CT provides objective evidence for the diagnosis and staging of chronic rhinosinusitis and also provides an essential roadmap to Paranasal sinus anatomy should surgery be considered. (3) Considering the high prevalence of rhinosinusitis and the high cost of rhinosinusitis treatment, knowing ethmoid sinus pathology and its alteration may increase the efficacy of rhinosinusitis treatments and reduce surgery-associated complications. (4) Docusign Envelope ID: BC878C4E-BB8D-49E6-9E4A-EEA3FC271297

5 AIM: To look for a correlation between the ethmoid sinus measurements in chronic rhinosinusitis patients and those without chronic rhinosinusitis. METHODOLOGY: Radiological (computed tomography) measurement of the ethmoid sinus dimensions (width and height), their symmetry, ethmoid roof symmetry and depth of olfactory fossa measured in cases of chronic rhinosinusitis and normal patients. . RESULTS: Our study found a significant correlation between ethmoid sinus dimensions and CRS, as well as ethmoid width asymmetry and CRS (0.041). However, ethmoid roof asymmetry and Keros’ classification did not show a statistically significant association with CRS, indicating that these anatomical variations are not primary risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS: This study has significant clinical implications in surgical planning, underscoring the importance of Computed Tomography in assessing ethmoid sinus anatomy in CRS pathophysiology.