ROLE OF COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IN ASSESSING PARANASAL SINUS DISEASE: CORRELATION WITH CLINICAL FINDING AND ANATOMICAL VARIATIONS

Background: Paranasal sinus diseases are frequently underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to overlapping clinical presentations. Anatomical variations in the sinonasal region significantly contribute to disease onset and persistence. Accurate imaging is essential to distinguish between inflammatory processes and structural abnormalities. Computed tomography (CT) offers high-resolution, multiplanar visualization of sinonasal anatomy, making it the preferred modality for diagnosing paranasal sinus pathologies and planning appropriate treatment strategies. Objective: To analyze the role of computed tomography in assessing paranasal sinus diseases and its correlation with clinical findings and anatomical variations. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted over three months at Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital, Sadiqabad. A total of 60 patients aged 18–60 years of both genders were enrolled using a non-probability convenient sampling technique. Patients with recent sinus surgery, facial trauma, or pregnancy were excluded. All participants underwent paranasal sinus CT scans using a Toshiba Canon Aquilion 16-slice machine. Data on clinical symptoms, anatomical variations, and radiological findings were collected and analyzed. Chi-square tests were used to evaluate associations between anatomical structures and sinus pathology. Results: Among the 60 patients, sinusitis was identified in 38.3% (n=23), nasal polyps in 31.7% (n=19), mucosal thickening in 11.7% (n=7), and chronic sinusitis in 10.0% (n=6). Only 6.7% (n=4) showed normal CT findings. Deviated nasal septum was the most common anatomical variation (35.0%), followed by bone remodeling (26.7%) and agger nasi cells (20.0%). A statistically significant correlation was found between anatomical variations and paranasal sinus disease (p = 0.000). Conclusion: Computed tomography is an essential diagnostic modality for paranasal sinus diseases, offering precise visualization of anatomical variations. Its use significantly enhances diagnostic accuracy and guides effective treatment planning.