PARANASAL SINUSES INFLAMMATORY DISEASES IN PATIENTS REFERRED FOR BRAIN CT IN PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA: INCIDENTAL FINDINGS

Abstract

 We aimed to evaluate the paranasal sinuses inflammatory disease among patients
referred for brain CT as an incidental finding. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cross
sectional study was conducted on 338 patients diagnosed of sinusitis on computed tomography
(CT) brain over a period of four years. Data such as patterns of the pathology, sex and age were
collected using data capture sheet. Radiological reports were evaluated. Results: out of 338
patient’s records evaluated, 841 cases of sinusitis patterns of appearance on tomogram were
identified. Out of 841 cases, 36.88% (n= 312) was mucosal thickening 30.26% (n = 256) was
opacification and bony erosion was 15.96% (n = 130). Maxillary sinus was the most commonly
affected 35.52% (n = 287) followed ethmoid 29.08% (n = 235). Age group 61 years and above
was highest 35.43% (n = 298) and the least was 0 – 15 years 7.01% (n = 59). The male to
female ratio was 1.4:1 with 57.4% (n = 194) male and 42.62 (n = 144) female. Out of the
identified pathology patterns, 64.21% (n = 540) were found in male while 35.79% (n = 301) in
female. Conclusion: Mucosal thickening and bony erosion were the most common and
uncommon findings of patterns of sinusitis in this study respectively. Maxillary sinus was
highly affected. Male preponderance was noted and young adults were commonly affected by
the pathology.