Incidental Nasal and Paranasal Findings on MRI and CT Scans-A Prospective Study

Abstract

Objective: Morphological changes in sinuses are commonly observed through routine Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) scans. The present study aims to assess the prevalence of nasal and sinus pathology in the Jordanian patients undergoing head MRI or CT scans for a non-ENT cause.
Materials and Methods: Prospective study was conducted at Alkarak hospital, Jordan. CT/MRI scan images of patients were reviewed over a period of 6-months. Data about ENT symptoms, history of allergic rhinitis, and abnormalities was also collected.
Results: Of the 600 patients (445 MRI, 145 CT Scans), sinus pathology was observed in 170 patients (28.33%). The most common sinus abnormality was mucosal thickening (n=135, 79.41%), followed by complete opacification and cysts. A significant correlation was observed between sex, sinonasal symptoms, facial pain, and asthma in both sinus pathology and nasal pathology. Nasal obstruction (p=0.000) and allergic rhinitis (p=0.000) were significantly correlated with nasal pathology.
Conclusion: A significant correlation between incidental sinonasal pathology and both facial pain and allergic rhinitis was observed. However, the incidental findings are overestimated due to lack of correlation to symptoms and underlying conditions.