Comparison of Usefulness of CT and Endoscope in the Diagnosis of Adult Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Hwang, Won Hyo; Jeon, Sea Yuong; Jeong, Jae Ho; Park, Jung Je; Ahn, Seong Ki; Kim, Jin Pyeong

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Rhinosinusitis is a leading health care problem that is increasing in both prevalence and incidence. The current definition of chronic rhinosinusitis is symptom-based, as it is described as a disease lasting more than 12 weeks of presenting two or more major sinus symptoms or at least one major and two minor sinus symptoms with or without findings on physical exams. This study evaluated the usefulness of object testing such as endoscopy or computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
The study was designed to evaluate 44 patients who were diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis using the same-day endoscopy and CT scanning based on the foregoing definition.
RESULTS
Of the 44 patients, 30 (68%) had positive endoscopic and CT results. There were 4 (9%) patients who gave negative endoscopic and positive CT results. Four (9%) patients had positive endoscopic and negative CT results, and 6 (14%) had negative endoscopic and negative CT results. Overall, 34 (77%) patients had positive CT results, and 10 (23%) patients had negative CT results. On the basis of CT as the standard, we determined that the positive predictive value of endoscopy was 88% and the negative predictive value of endoscopy 60%. The results of this study show that the definition of chronic rhinosinusitis needs to be called into question on the basis of endoscopic and CT results.
CONCLUSION
We find that the use of endoscopy and/or CT scanning is important in making a more accurate diagnosis and planning appropriate treatment measures.