Histopathological correlation with computed tomography in respect to evaluation of paranasal sinus diseases

Introduction: Contrast enhanced CT scans are obtained only in patients who are acutely ill and suspected of having a complication of acute sinusitis. The present study was aimed to evaluate the spectrum of PNS diseases on CT and correlate their clinical and histopathological findings. Materials & Methods: After fulfilling the necessary criteria for enrollment, first 100 patients with PNS diseases were included in the study. Patients who have failed medical management i.e., prolonged course of broad spectrum antibiotics for 3 weeks and trial of corticosteroid nasal spray, were included in the study. Patients with revision surgery were excluded from the study. Results: The most common CT diagnosis was found to be chronic sinusitius (57/100), followed by fungal sinusitis (28/100) and lastly 10 cases of nasal polyp. The entire specimens were sent for histopathological examination. Discussion & Conclusion: CT helps to delineate the anatomy of nose and sinuses, and drainage pathways of sinuses preoperatively. It is helpful in evaluating the site and extent of sinus pathology. Preoperative CT enabled the surgeon to visualize the drainage pathways, anatomical and critical variants in PNSs thus allowing effective management of the patient. However, a potential pitfall was its inability to accurately differentiate in cases of fungal sinusitis and high‑density secretions.