title: Reduction of Radiation Dosage in Visualization of Paranasal Sinuses in Daily Routine.
abstract: Background. Preoperative imaging of the nose and paranasal sinus is standard in otorhinolaryngology. Previous studies on phantoms demonstrated the potential for dose reduction of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) by varying the application parameters.Methodology.Based on previous studies, the standard protocol of paranasal sinus imaging by CBCT was altered. One hundred and fifty examinations using the old protocol (01/2010-01/2011, high dosage) and 150 examinations using the new protocol (09/2012-09/2013, low dosage) were evaluated and compared for the visibility of 17 anatomical structures, the Lund-Mackay Score, and technical parameters.Results.Alteration of the protocol resulted in a significant reduction in dosage (6.64 mGy versus 2.88 mGy). Both groups showed the same amount of pathology (Lund-Mackay Score: 4.95 ± 3.79 versus 5.26 ± 5.77;p= 0.558). There was a significant better visibility of the anatomical structures (all visible = 1, nothing visible = 4) (results: 1.25 versus 1.17;p= 0.001) in the low-dosage group.Conclusion.Despite a significant reduction in the applied dosage, reliable visualization of the bony anatomy of the anterior skull base is possible by CBCT. This demonstrates the need for the discussion of the required clinical imaging quality.
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, UKGM, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4722-3044
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Güldner
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, UKGM, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Isabell
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Diogo
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, UKGM, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leicht
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, UKGM, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Magis
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mandapathil
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head/Neck & Facial Plastic Surgery, Sana Kliniken Leipziger Land, Borna, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wilhelm
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, UKGM, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Afshin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Teymoortash
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, UKGM, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Evelyn
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jahns