Background: Osteitis or bone remodeling is one of the distinct radiological findings in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Bone remodeling of the paranasal sinuses can be affected by many factors including age, sex, chronic inflammation, and surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate radiological evidence of mucosal and bone remodeling and to assess the impact of recurrent rhinosinusitis after surgery on remodeling in patients with CRS.
Methods: Controls (n = 25) and patients with CRS undergoing primary (n = 25) and revision (n = 15) endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) were included in this study. Bone remodeling of the ethmoid sinus was checked by the presence of new bone formation (NBF) and measurement of bone density (HU). Bone remodeling of the maxillary sinus was measured by the vertical and horizontal lengths at maximal cross-sectioned CT images.
Results: Lund-Mackay scores were significantly increased in the revision ESS group (p = 0.009) and NBF(+) group (p = 0.014). NBF was significantly increased in the revision ESS group compared with the primary ESS group (odds ratio = 0.127; CI, 0.029-0.562; p = 0.006). There was a significant difference in ethmoid bone density among controls, primary, and revision ESS (p = 0.0001). The maximal sizes of the maxillary sinus were significantly decreased in CRS groups when compared with controls (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: In the revision ESS group, soft tissue and bone remodeling may be greater than in the primary ESS group.