[Paranasal sinusitis: study with conventional and spiral computerized tomography].

This study was aimed at comparing the diagnostic value of conventional computed tomography (CCT) with that of spiral computed tomography (SCT) in sinonasal structures and ostiomeatal complex in thirty patients with inflammatory disease. Ten patients were examined with CCT (3-mm slice thickness, 120 kV, 100 mA, 2-s gantry rotation) and 20 were examined with SCT (3-mm slice thickness, 120 kV, 200 mA, 1-s gantry rotation and computed image reconstruction every 3 mm); table gain was 3 mm (Pitch 1) in 10 patients and 5 mm (Pitch 1.6) in the other 10 patients. With the latter study protocol, diagnostic image quality was the same as with the other two protocols. Moreover, examination time was reduced, with increased patients' comfort; the exposure dose and X-ray tube overload were also reduced, with increased system yield.