Incidental findings in paranasal sinus Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) studies
Reviewed by Gauri Mankekar

Incidental findings in the paranasal sinuses of mucosal thickening and polyps in MRI studies may cause concerns for clinicians and patients. The authors studied MRIs of 982 participants with a mean age of 58.5 years who randomly and independent of their medical history underwent MRI of the head as part of a large public health survey in Norway. Incidental opacifications were found in 66% of the participants, mucosal thickenings in 49% and this most common in the maxillary antra (29%). Other opacifications occurred in the anterior ethmoid (23%), posterior ethmoid (21%), frontal sinus (9%), and sphenoid (8%). Polyps and retention cysts were also found mainly in the maxillary sinuses in 32%. Fluid was observed in 6% of the MRIs. Mucosal thickening was observed more frequently in men than in women. The authors conclude that knowledge of these incidental findings is important as it can influence clinical practice. Overzealous radiological reporting may also cause anxiety for patients

Incidental findings in MRI of the paranasal sinuses in adults: a population-based study (HUNT MRI).
Hansen AG, Helvik AS, Nordgård S, et al.
BMC EAR NOSE AND THROAT DISORDERS
2014;14:13.