The Influence of Nonaerated Paranasal Sinuses on DTI Parameters of the Brain in 6- to 9-Year-Old Children

Abstract

Background and purpose: DTI is prone to susceptibility artifacts. Air in the paranasal sinuses can cause field inhomogeneity, thus affecting measurements. Children often have mucus in their sinuses or no pneumatization of them. This study investigated the influence of lack of air in the paranasal sinuses on measurements of WM diffusion characteristics.

Materials and methods: The study was embedded in the Generation R Study, a prospective population-based birth cohort in Rotterdam (the Netherlands). Brain MR imaging studies (1070 children, 6-9 years of age) were evaluated for mucosal thickening of the paranasal sinuses. Nonaeration of the paranasal sinuses (modified Lund-Mackay score) was compared with that in a randomly selected control group. The relationship between nonaerated paranasal sinuses and fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity in the DTI fiber tracts was evaluated using ANCOVA and independent t tests.

Results: The prevalence of mucosal thickening was 10.2% (109/1070). The mean modified Lund-Mackay score was 6.87 (SD, 3.76). In 52.3% (57/109), ≥ 1 paranasal sinus was not pneumatized. The results are reported in effect sizes (Cohen's d). Lower mean fractional anisotropy values were found in the uncinate fasciculus (right uncinate fasciculus/right frontal sinus, d = -0.60), superior longitudinal fasciculus (right superior longitudinal fasciculus/right ethmoid sinus, d = -0.56; right superior longitudinal fasciculus/right sphenoid sinus, d = -2.09), and cingulate bundle (right cingulum bundle/right sphenoid sinus, d = -1.28; left cingulum bundle/left sphenoid sinus, d = -1.49). Higher mean diffusivity values were found in the forceps major/right and left sphenoid sinuses, d = 0.78.

Conclusions: Nonaeration of the paranasal sinuses is a common incidental finding on pediatric MR imaging brain scans. The amount of air in the paranasal sinuses can influence fractional anisotropy and, to a lesser degree, mean diffusivity values of WM tracts and should be considered in DTI studies in pediatric populations.