Paranasal sinus CT abnormality in association with cerebrovascular disease (CVD)

Objective: To study the association between paranasal sinus abnormality and cerebrovascular disease (CVD). Material and Method: A retrospective case-control study was done on patients who underwent computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain or head and neck area in Chiang Mai University Hospital between January and February 2012. Cases were new CVD patients while controls were other patients that underwent a brain CT during the same period of time. The CT scans were evaluated for sinus abnormalities; mucosal thickening, airfluid level, total opacification. Others known risk for CVD were reviewed and gathered. The potential parameters were tested using univariable and multivariable logistic regression model. Results: One hundred sixty-nine out of 354 registered head CT scans were included in this study, consisting of 82 CVD and 87 control cases. Univariable analysis showed significance in hypertension, dyslipidemia, heart diseases, diabetes mellitus and sinus abnormality. With multivariable logistic regression analysis and clustering for kidney diseases; the statistically significant parameters were hypertension (p <0.001), heart diseases (p <0.001), dyslipidemia (p <0.001), current smoker (p <0.001), and sinus abnormality (p <0.001). Conclusion: This study shows that abnormal sinus CT is significantly found in newly diagnosed CVD patients. Sinus pathology should be recognized and properly treated by attending physicians, including neurologists and otolaryngologists. The relationship between sinus abnormality and CVD though, should be further investigated.