[Diagnosis of sinusitis in children with allergic diseases--comparison of waters projection radiographs and CT scans].

Sinusitis is common in children with allergic diseases, and the relationship between sinusitis and reactive airway diseases involving asthma has been reported. Most pediatricians and physicians base their diagnosis of sinusitis on findings from plain radiographs of the sinuses, especially Waters projection radiographs. We compared the diagnoses made by 11 pediatric allergists using 56 Waters projection radiographs with transverse CT findings. The ratio for the two diagnosis being consistent (normal plain radiographic findings and normal CT findings, or abnormal plain radiographic findings and abnormal CT findings) was approximately 60%. Sinusitis in children is often misdiagnosed on the basis of findings from Waters projection radiographs alone. Therefore, the use of CT findings for the diagnosis of sinusitis together with Waters projection radiographs is recommended.