Correlation between A-mode ultrasound and radiography in the diagnosis of maxillary sinusitis

• Published in: Journal of allergy and clinical immunology Vol. 78; no. 1 Pt 1; p. 58
• Main Authors: Rohr, A S, Spector, S L, Siegel, S C, Katz, R M, Rachelefsky, G S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-07-1986
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Equipment Design; Female; Frontal Sinus - diagnostic imaging; Humans; Male; Maxillary Sinus - diagnostic imaging; Middle Aged; Radiography; Sinusitis - diagnosis; Sinusitis - diagnostic imaging; Ultrasonography - instrumentation; Ultrasonography - methods
• ISSN: 0091-6749
• DOI: 10.1016/0091-6749(86)90115-6

A-mode ultrasound examination of the maxillary sinuses with the Echosine and Sinusvu 2500 units was compared with roentgenographic examination in the diagnosis of maxillary and frontal sinusitis. A-mode ultrasound was primarily useful in the detection of secretions within the sinus and not mucosal thickening. Both ultrasound devices had high specificities (92% for Echosine and 94% for Sinusvu 2500) in the diagnosis of maxillary sinusitis, but the Echosine had a greater overall sensitivity (61%) than the Sinusvu 2500 (29%). More significantly, as the opacification of the roentgenogram increased (a higher probability of secretion), the Echosine demonstrated better agreement with the x-ray film. Ultrasound appeared to be less helpful in diagnosing frontal sinusitis, but there were too few cases of frontal sinusitis for statistical analysis. The Echosine is a useful screening device because of the high specificity of a positive result. Although A-mode ultrasound provides limited value in diagnosing mucosal thickening, it is particularly useful in following the course of therapy once a positive diagnosis of sinusitis has been established without subjecting the patient to additional x-ray exposure.