Nose: Paranasal sinuses. CT of the sinuses

Unfortunately, very often there are situations when people start infectious diseases, as a result of which the sinuses are inflamed, serious health problems arise, and the person is diagnosed with sinusitis. However, before the doctor determines the conclusion, he sends the patient for radiography or computed tomography in order to ascertain his suspicions. These research methods will be discussed today.

Nose: sinuses and the origin of sinusitis

Unfortunately, many people suffer from the effects of an untreated runny nose. And sinusitis is an inflammation of the paranasal sinuses of an acute or chronic nature that occurs after a flu or other infectious diseases. The disease can have both acute and chronic form. It is subdivided into the following subgroups:

- sinusitis;

- frontal sinusitis;

- ethmoiditis;

- sphenoiditis.

Depending on the specific inflammation found in the patient, treatment for the sinuses is prescribed. But in order to make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor first directs the patient to certain studies. Often, a specialist prescribes radiography, but in some cases can give direction to computed tomography. In more detail about these methods of research of the sinuses of the nose will be discussed below.

X-ray of the organ of smell and indications for its implementation

This research method is widely used in otolaryngology and is performed on an outpatient basis. Radiography of the sinuses is prescribed in such situations:

1. With injuries of the sense of smell.
2. To diagnose the condition of the mucosa.
3. In preparation for surgery.
4. If there is bleeding from the organ of smell of an incomprehensible nature.
5. If nasal breathing is impaired.
6. For the diagnosis of chronic sinusitis.
7. If headaches occur.
   

X-ray preparation

To prepare for such a study, nothing special needs to be done. The main thing is to remove jewelry, metal objects, rubber bands, hairpins. The laboratory assistant invites the patient to sit on a chair opposite the apparatus. The nose and chin should be in contact with a metal plate. The specialist asks not to move so that the image quality is good. The whole event takes no more than 3 minutes. Results are issued within 5 minutes after the procedure. Any pathology seen in the picture, the expert describes in his conclusion, with which the patient goes to the ENT. And the specialist then decides on the need for further examination or prescribes treatment.

X-ray of the sinuses can in rare cases be supplemented by CT, when a dubious symptom is found that cannot be studied in detail using the method described above.

Contraindications

X-rays should not be given to women expecting a baby. In other cases, including children, this diagnostic method can be prescribed by the attending doctor.

In what situations is a CT scan performed?

This study, in some cases, must be carried out to exclude dangerous diseases of such an important organ as the nose. The paranasal sinuses are checked with a tomograph in such situations:

1. If there are headaches of unknown origin.
2. With damage to the bone structure of the paranasal cavities.
3. In the case of foreign bodies in the sinuses.
4. For suspected hemorrhage.
5. To identify diseases of the sinuses.
6. After injuries and injuries of bone structures, eye orbits, and the front of the skull.
7. In inflammatory processes that are difficult to treat, for example, in the case of sinusitis.
8. With frequent nosebleeds.
9. If there is purulent inflammation of the lacrimal sac.
   

The advantages of computed tomography

This method is considered one of the most accurate when examining an organ such as the nose. The paranasal sinuses are checked thoroughly, which indicates the high quality and accuracy of the analysis. This diagnostic method has the following advantages:

1. The quality of the pictures is at a high level.
2. Low radiation exposure.
3. High speed scanning.
4. On the obtained images, all the studied formations are presented in detail.
5. This method is safe for humans.
6. The availability of such a research method.
7. The event is performed in a relatively short time (unlike MRI).
8. Painless procedure.
   

CT procedure

This method helps to research and recognize diseases that are associated with an organ such as the nose. The paranasal sinuses are checked as follows:

1. Before starting the procedure, the specialist asks several questions to the patient (name, year of birth, well-being, tolerance to drugs, etc.).
2. Then the patient lays on a special couch of a computer tomograph. The position of the patient is on the back or face down, while the chin should be raised.
3. During the event it is forbidden to twitch, move. In order for a person to not accidentally move from their original place, they can be fixed with straps and special pillows in order to help maintain the correct position. The fact is that involuntary movements lead to a deterioration in image quality.
4. When the patient is placed and issued all the necessary instructions, the CT process begins directly. During the procedure, the couch table on which the patient is located will begin to slowly move into a special ring (another name is the portal) of a computer tomograph. During this movement, X-ray tubes and electronic detectors will rotate around the person.
5. At some point, the doctor may ask you to hold your breath. In general, the procedure does not bring any discomfort.
6. A CT scan usually lasts 10 minutes. After the study, the doctor asks to wait for the results (within 40 minutes).

Contraindications

Such an analysis method as CT of the paranasal sinuses cannot be performed with the following categories of persons:

• Pregnant women, since there is a likelihood of malformations in the fetus.
• Little children. The study itself is safe, but for babies who cannot lie and move during the procedure, this method is not recommended. And stillness is needed in any case to ensure good quality images.
• People who are allergic to iodine (if the tomography of the paranasal sinuses is done with contrast).
• Patients with renal failure.
  

Sinusitis therapy

Treatment of the paranasal sinuses should be carried out immediately after the patient makes an X-ray or computed tomography, and the doctor will give him an accurate diagnosis. Therapy of sinusitis, both acute and chronic, is aimed at stopping the inflammatory process in the sinuses, cleansing them of pus and mucus, and eliminating edema. For this purpose, the patient is prescribed antimicrobial drugs, which the doctor selects depending on the type of pathogen, the age of the person and the degree of neglect of the disease. For the treatment of acute sinusitis, medications are prescribed for a period of about 3 weeks. And if the disease turned into a chronic form, then for a period of 2 times more. To reduce swelling of the mucosa, the doctor prescribes vasoconstrictors.

When a person went to the doctor late, and the discharge from the nose had already turned from liquid to thick, with the smell of rot, the specialist prescribes a puncture. This is done in order to rinse the cavity of the organ of smell, remove unnecessary harmful liquid and introduce medication.

Also, often in the treatment of sinusitis, doctors use the combined method: antibiotics are prescribed to the patient for 10 days. And then they make a piercing to remove pus and mucus.

Now you know that before diagnosing sinusitis or another sinus disease, the doctor first sends the patient for examination. The most common way to determine the ailment is radiography. But if after it the specialist still doubts, then he prescribes CT of the paranasal sinuses - an accurate and true research method that will show a clear picture of the disease.