A comparison of ultrasound and plain radiography in the diagnosis of maxillary sinusitis

The diagnosis of maxillary sinusitis can be difficult, with clinical signs and symptoms leading to a correct diagnosis in only approximately half of cases, This study compared ultrasound and plain radiography of 50 maxillary antra (25 patients) with clinically suspected maxillary sinusitis, Ultrasound showed 100% concordance with plain radiographs reported as normal, and was abnormal in all cases where plain films were reported as showing complete opacification or an air fluid level, the only reliable plain film indicators of an inflamed antrum, We conclude that ultrasound can provide an alternative to plain radiography in the initial investigation of maxillary sinusitis.