To observe the effect of imaging techniques on the diagnostic pattern of sinusitis in primary care.
A multicentre survey.
14 health centres with varying facilities for clinical imaging.
446 adult patients with a suspicion of acute maxillary sinusitis. Ultrasound or radiography facilities existed in 337 cases while 109 could only be judged clinically. MAIN outcome measures--The use of ultrasound, radiography, laboratory tests, irrigation and control visits. The final number of patients with sinusitis in different facility groups.
When available, ultrasound was used in 82-92% and radiography in 6-32% of cases. The ultrasound finding showed mucosal thickening or was difficult to interpret in every third case; one half of these were interpreted as sinusitis and the rest were considered healthy. In total, sinusitis was diagnosed in 84-88% when ultrasound or radiography only could be used, and in 77% when both techniques were available (p