Conventional sinus radiography compared with CT in the diagnosis of acute sinusitis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the value of plain film radiography in a prospective investigation of patients with clinical suspicion of acute sinusitis, using standard CT as a gold standard.


METHODS
47 consecutive patients were examined. Each patient underwent conventional X-ray and standard dose CT examinations on the same day. The sensitivity and specificity of the plain film examination were calculated.


RESULTS
The specificity of the plain film examination was high, but the sensitivity was low except for the maxillary sinus (sensitivity 80%). Thus, for maxillary sinusitis, plain film examination was reasonably accurate. A negative finding in the other sinuses could not be relied upon.


CONCLUSIONS
The sensitivity of plain film radiography for detecting sinus opacifications was unacceptably low for the ethmoid, frontal and sphenoid sinuses. The specificity was high.
Aaløkken
T M
TM
Department of Radiology, Rikshospitalet, University of Oslo, N-0027 Oslo, Norway. trond.mogens.aalokken@rikshospitalet.no
Hagtvedt
T
T
Dalen
I
I
Kolbenstvedt
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015523:Maxillary Sinusitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed