Background Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is an inflammatory disease of the nasal cavity and the
paranasal sinuses with a substantial prevalence of up to 10 % in individuals of European
descent. Imaging studies, especially computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses
(PS-CT) is often repeatedly performed in these patients, exposing them to significant
doses of radiation. PS-CT is used in diagnosis and, owing to the complex anatomy of
the paranasal sinuses, in planning of therapeutic surgical procedures. Cone-beam CT
(CBCT) is an imaging modality used predominately in oral and dental surgery, owing
to its poor tissue contrast. However, CBCT of the paranasal sinuses (PS-CBCT) has
been shown to expose patients to 30-40 % less radiation than PS-CT. The aim of our
study was to investigate, whether PS-CBCT has comparable image quality and spatial
resolution to PS-CT.
Methods PS-CT and PS-CBCT were performed at our institution using a phantom model. Image
reconstruction was performed using RadiAnt Viewer®. Image quality was rated separately
by our otolaryngologists. Spatial resolution and tissue contrast were given special
consideration.
Results Image quality of PS-CBCT was non-inferior to PS-CT. Standardized measurements showed
no significant deviation of anatomical structures. With all tested presets of PS-CBCT
(low/medium/high resolution), the absorbed dose of radiation was less than with PS-CT.
Conclusion The results of our phantom model were generally concordant with existing literature.
We conclude from our observations that PS-CBCT may be a good alternative to PS-CT,
especially in patients with CRS, who often undergo PS-CT repeatedly. However, more
clinical studies are needed to clarify the role of PS-CBCT in clinical practice.
Poster-PDF
A-1792.PDF
