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Physiologic mucosal changes within the nose and ethmoid sinus: Imaging of the nasal cycle by MRI
Author(s) -
Kennedy David W.,
Zinreich S. James,
Kumar Ashok J.,
Rosenbaum Arthur E.,
Johns Michael E.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1288/00005537-198809000-00005
Subject(s) - medicine , nasal cavity , magnetic resonance imaging , asymptomatic , sinus (botany) , mucous membrane of nose , paranasal sinuses , nose , ethmoid sinus , nasal septum , radiology , pathology , anatomy , botany , biology , genus
Abstract Magnetic resonance studies frequently demonstrate increased T 2‐weighted signal in the nasal area. To further evaluate this phenomenon, several MRI examinations of the nasal cavity were performed within an 8‐ to 12‐hour period. The study demonstrated that changes alternated from side to side and were interrupted by the administration of topical vasoconstriction, confirming imaging of the normal nasal cycle. Changes were also observed within the ethmoid sinuses. Signal intensity on T 2‐weighted images during the congested phase was similar to inflammatory mucosa. Occasionally, these changes make interpretation of the extent of pathology difficult in patients with sinus disease, and raise the possibility of inflammatory pathology in asymptomatic patients. Awareness of MRI imaging of nasal cycle should reduce the likelihood of diagnostic errors and provides another method for study of this physiologic phenomenon.