Determination of Sensitivity and Specificity of Diagnostic Nasal Endoscopy Compared to Computed Tomography Scan of Nasal and Paranasal Sinuses Among Patients Suffering From Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Background Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) significantly impacts patients' quality of life. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective management, with diagnostic nasal endoscopy (DNE) and computed tomography (CT) being primary tools. It significantly impacts patients' quality of life, causing symptoms like nasal congestion, facial pain, decreased sense of smell, and nasal discharge. This study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of DNE in comparison to CT, the gold standard, for CRS diagnosis. Methodology A prospective observational study was conducted at Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College, Kanpur. A total of 109 patients presenting with CRS symptoms for more than 12 weeks were included. All participants underwent both DNE and CT of the paranasal sinuses. Correlations between radiological and endoscopic findings were evaluated to identify patterns and inform treatment decisions. Results A statistically significant correlation was found between endoscopic and radiological findings (χ² = 55.20, <i>p</i> < 0.00000001), indicating strong diagnostic concordance. DNE achieved a sensitivity of 93.42%, specificity of 75.75%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 89.33%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 83.33%. These findings highlight the diagnostic utility of DNE for detecting mucosal abnormalities, while also emphasizing the superior anatomical detail provided by CT imaging. Conclusion DNE is a valuable, minimally invasive tool for diagnosing CRS, offering high sensitivity in detecting mucosal inflammation. However, CT remains essential for a complete anatomical assessment, particularly in complex or refractory cases.