Don’t order more than one CT scan of the paranasal sinuses within 90 days to evaluate uncomplicated chronic rhinosinusitis patients when the paranasal sinus CT obtained is of adequate quality and resolution to be interpreted by the clinician and used for clinical decision-making and/or surgical planning.

Rationale and Comments

CT scanning is expensive, exposes the patient to ionizing radiation, and offers no additional information that would improve initial management. Multiple CT scans within 90 days may be appropriate in patients with complicated sinusitis or when an alternative diagnosis is suspected.

Sponsoring Organizations

American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation

Sources

Practice guideline

Disciplines

Infectious disease
Otolaryngologic

References

Rosenfeld RM, Piccirillo JF, Chandrasekhar SS, Brook I, Kumar KA, Kramper M, Orlandi RR, Palmer JN, Patel, ZM, Peters A, Walsh S, Corrigan MD. Clinical practice guideline: adult sinusitis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Expected April 2015.