Hybrid CNN-Swin Transformer Model to Advance the Diagnosis of Maxillary Sinus Abnormalities on CT Images Using Explainable AI

Accurate diagnosis of sinusitis is essential due to its widespread prevalence and its considerable impact on patient quality of life. While multiple imaging techniques are available for detecting maxillary sinus, computed tomography (CT) remains the preferred modality because of its high sensitivity and spatial resolution. Although recent advances in deep learning have led to the development of automated methods for sinusitis classification, many existing models perform poorly in the presence of complex pathological features and offer limited interpretability, which hinders their integration into clinical workflows. In this study, we propose a hybrid deep learning framework that combines EfficientNetB0, a convolutional neural network, with the Swin Transformer, a vision transformer, to improve feature representation. An attention-based fusion module is used to integrate both local and global information, thereby enhancing diagnostic accuracy. To improve transparency and support clinical adoption, the model incorporates explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) techniques using Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping (Grad-CAM). This allows for visualization of the regions influencing the model’s predictions, helping radiologists assess the clinical relevance of the results. We evaluate the proposed method on a curated maxillary sinus CT dataset covering four diagnostic categories: Normal, Opacified, Polyposis, and Retention Cysts. The model achieves a classification accuracy of 95.83%, with precision, recall, and F1 score all at 95%. Grad-CAM visualizations indicate that the model consistently focuses on clinically significant regions of the sinus anatomy, supporting its potential utility as a reliable diagnostic aid in medical practice.