The radiologic evaluation of osteitis type and formation in chronic rhinosinusitis with and without nasal polyposis.

Objective: To evaluate the amount and type of osteitis observed in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) and compare it with that of chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyposis (CRSnNP).

Setting: Sisli Etfal Research and Education Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.

Study Design: Prospective, single-blind, cohort study.

Methods: Three different patient groups, designated as the CRSwNP, CRSnNP, and control groups, were included in the study. Forty patients who had CRSnNP and/or CRSwNP confirmed with a paranasal sinus computerized tomography (CT) study were included for the study group, and 20 individuals were included in the control group. Paranasal sinus CTs were evaluated and compared for osteitis.

Results: Hounsfield units obtained from the right and left agger nasi walls and the medial maxillary sinus wall in the control group were significantly different from the entire group. Similarly, values for the anterior ethmoid wall were statistically significant for the CRSwNP group compared with all the subjects. When the groups were compared to one another, there were significant differences in both the right and left agger nasi walls and the frontal sinus wall.

Conclusion: Differentiating and acknowledging osteitis induced by CRSwNP rather than CRSnNP may aid in preoperative planning and indicate where to be more aggressive when excising bony structures. This may help in reducing recurrence and in increasing quality of life.