Incidental rhino sinusitis findings in patients referred for Brain MRI

Abstract

Background and aim: During brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), unexpected abnormalities are occasionally discovered this study aimed to assess the frequency of incidental rhino sinusitis findings in patients referred for brain MRI .

Methods and material: In this cross sectional study the frequency of incidental findings of 210 patients who referred to Besat MRI center for some other reasons, were evaluated.

Results: 210 patients (39.5% male and 60.5% female) with mean age 42.23±18.67 years (range 11-88) were evaluated. 41 patients (19.5%) showed sinusitis in MRI images(thickening more than 4mm was)  that among these patients sinusitis was confirmed in 33 patients (15.7%) by ENT specialists. 125patients (59.5%) had at least one abnormality in their MRI. The most involved sinus was maxilla followed by ethmoid, frontal and sphenoid and the difference between sinuses regarding the frequency of involvement was significant (P=0.001). Furthermore the commonest finding was mucosal thickening and the rarest was opacity.

Conclusion: the incidental findings of sinusitis in MRI were prevalent, maxilla was more involved sinus followed by ethmoid moreover the most common findings were mucosal thickness and opacity was an uncommon finding.

 Keywords: incidental findings , sinusitis , brain MRI,thickenning,