Correlation of allergy and severity of sinus disease

Allergy is art important consideration in the evaluation of patients with r hinosinusitis. Several studies have addressed staging systems for rhinosinu sitis based on the extent of disease present on computed tomography (CT) sc anning. The severity and extent of sinus disease present on CT imaging help s guide decisions regarding medical and surgical treatment options. This st udy evaluates the severity of sinus disease in allergic and nonallergic pat ients. A total of 42 patients at our institution underwent both modified RA ST and coronal sinus CT scan in the evaluation of their rhinosinusitis symp toms. A single, blinded staff neuroradiologist staged all 42 CT scans using the Lund-Mackay staging system. None of the patients had undergone sinus s urgery. Age, sex, co-morbidities, asthma, smoking, RAST score, total IgE, a nd CT staging score were analyzed Allergic patients were found to have a hi gher CT scan score (mean score = 12) when compared to nonallergic patients (mean score = 6), indicating more extensive sinus disease (p = 0.03). We co nclude that allergy is a significant factor in the development of rhinosinu sitis, and allergic patients are more likely to demonstrate advanced diseas e on CT scan when compared to nonallergic patients.