Comparison of CT and MRI features in sinusitis

Objective: To correlate the features of inflammatory changes in the paranas al sinuses on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with computed tomography (CT ). Methods ann patients: One hundred and fourteen patients with histologica lly proven nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) were staged with both CT and MRI. All CT and MRI images of patients with mucosal thickening but no tumour in volvement of the sinuses were retrospectively analysed. Results: There were inflammatory changes in 36 maxillary, 21 sphenoid and 16 ethmoid sinuses. These changes include mucosal thickening, retention cysts, retained secreti ons, inspissated secretions and dystrophic calcification. MRI is superior t o CT in separating thickened mucosa, retained secretions and retentions cys ts. Conclusion: It is important to appreciate CT changes of sinusitis and t he corresponding spectrum of MRI features. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Irelan d Ltd. All rights reserved.