B-mode ultrasound in the diagnosis of maxillary sinusitis in intensive care unit

Radiological maxillary sinusitis (RMS) is not an easily diagnosed in Intensive Care Unit (ICU). B-mode ultrasound of paranasal sinuses, validated for the ambulatory patients, was evaluated in a prospective study. One hundred fifty three ultrasound examinations were performed on 30 critically ill patients and compared to CT scan or radiography (Blondeau's view). Two levels of positive echographia are described: positive echographia corresponding with a moderate lesion, cupuliform echographia when the lesion is more significant. Its good predictive negative value when the echographia is negative and its predictive positive value of 100 % when the echographia is cupuliform allow to recommend B-mode ultrasound as the best investigation for the diagnosis of maxillary sinusitis in a ICU. Diagnostic ultrasound represents a rapid, painless, innocuous and easily reproducible means of monitoring.