CT Scans
Computed tomography (CT scans or CAT scans) are utilized to aid in the diagnosis of chronic sinusitis. CT scans are thin slices through the sinuses that provide detailed pictures of sinus and nasal anatomy. CT scans are obtained in two planes, first coronal and then axial. Chronic sinus disease will look gray on CT scans. “Gray” areas can represent either inflamed, thickened mucus lining, bacterial/fungal infections or masses. These masses will often be benign and include cysts, polyps or papillomas. In rare instances, cancers will be discovered in the sinuses. Your doctor will have further tests to determine if there is the possibility of cancer.
Plain x-rays are no longer utilized as the quality and sensitivity are poor for diagnosing chronic sinus conditions.
This is a coronal CT scan demonstrating gray areas of nasal polyps in all of the sinuses.
