Three-dimensional volumetric measurements and analysis of the maxillary sinus.

BackgroundMultiple chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) staging systems have been developed in an attempt to correlate symptoms with radiological imaging results. Currently, no perfect system exists. We sought to analyze the maxillary sinus (MS) using three-dimensional volumetric measurements and advanced high-resolution CT imaging.MethodsWe reviewed MS CT scans from 50 control subjects and 50 subjects with documented CRS involving at least one MS. The following measurements were recorded: (1) volume of MS free air, (2) MS mucosal thickening, and (3) MS lateral wall bony thickness. Average Hounsfield unit (HU) values for mucosal thickening among CRS subjects were also recorded. Values are expressed as mean ± SD and median. Values from the CRS patients were compared with healthy controls using Student's t-tests.ResultsAmong controls (n = 50), volumes (mL) of right and left MS were 24.1 ± 9.7 and 24.7 ± 9.0, respectively. Among CRS patients (n = 50), the portion of mucosal disease to total sinus volume was 51.8% (r...