Abstract:ObjectiveTo analyze the value of sinonasal computed tomographic (CT) scores in evaluating the olfactory function in patients with chronic rhinosinusits(CRS). Methods92 patients with CRS were enrolled in this study. Of them, 28 suffered from eosinophilic CRS (ECRS) and 64 suffered from noneosinophilic CRS (nECRS). The patients with prior nasal surgery or other diseases affecting the olfaction were excluded. Detailed medical histories were collected, sinonasal CT scan and olfactory detection were performed to all the patients.χ2and t test were used to compare the medical history. MannWhitney U analysis was used to compare the LundMackay scores of the two groups. Spearman rank correlations were used to examine correlations between olfactory acuity and CT score. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the predictive diagnostic value of CT score in olfactory function.ResultsThe difference of the CT scores between the ethmoid sinus and maxillary sinus (EM difference) and bilateral inflammation of the ECRS group were significantly higher than those of the nECRS group (3.32±2.25 vs 1.81±2.33, 26/28 vs 48/64, both P<0.05). Compared with other CT scores, EM difference showed stronger relationship with olfactory acuity (r=0.634,P<0.01). EM difference had a better predictive value, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) value of 0.827. The cutoff point of 2.5 for EM difference demonstrated a sensitivity of 76.9% and a specificity of 79.2% for olfactory dysfunction in CRS.ConclusionCompared to other CT scores, EM difference has a better predictive value for the diagnosis of olfactory dysfunction in CRS patients.