Role of imaging in allergic rhinology

Abstract

Rhinitis is an underestimated clinical condition, which has a considerable impact on the quality of life of the affected patients. The subject of this review focuses on three fundamental aspects: the development of knowledge concerning anatomic landmarks, the development of radiological imaging technology, and developments that can make a difference in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. The anatomical study of paranasal sinuses has been conducted since the time of the ancient Egyptians. Development of radiological equipment from the early 1900s has helped to improve information on the morphology of paranasal sinuses, sufficient to be considered valuable information regarding frontal anatomy and its variability. Imaging has become increasingly important in the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory diseases of the paranasal sinuses. In recent decades, radiology has helped to study this region as we have progressed from plain radiography to high-resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT). Subsequently, from radiologic imaging, digital volume tomography (DVT) has been developed, in high resolution and narrow section width. Currently, experience with third generation Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) technologies provides useful information about bones, and it is now possible to highlight anatomical variants that involve bone structures. We still lack the ability to make a qualitative evaluation of soft tissues, as there are no Hounsfield levels in CBCT. However, this is a new area of research, and its application is evolving in an interesting manner, especially for soft-tissue allergic-inflammatory diseases.