The Ground-Glass Ethmoid Sinus Sign" May be the Sole Indicator for Acute Sinusitis on CT: A New Sign at Paranasal Sinus CT Images

Abstract

Objective: In this retrospective study we aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of “Ground-Glass Ethmoid Sinus Sign” (GGESS) in ethmoid cells in patients with clinical acute sinusitis. Patients and Methods: Between January 2018-December 2018, 440 CT of the paranasal region taken for any reason in our clinic were evaluated. Mucosal thickening of the paranasal sinus wall, secretion levels, secretion bands, and Ground-Glass Signs on Ethmoid cellular walls (GGESS) were evaluated by two radiologists. The diagnostic significance of GGESS in patients with clinically positive findings and those without a diagnosis of sinusitis was statistically analyzed. Results: Patients were included in the study classified as having acute sinusitis (Group 1-103 cases) and without a clinical history of acute sinusitis (Group 2-337 cases). In the diagnosis of acute sinusitis, GGESS had a positive predictive value of 79%, a negative predictive value of 95%, a sensitivity of 86%, and a specifity of 93%. The GGESS finding was found to be significantly higher in the acute sinusitis group as 86%, while it was 7% in the asymptomatic group (p<0.001). Conclusion: The presence of “GGESS” on paranasal sinus CT images is associated with acute sinusitis significantly more than any other sinus inflammation findings.