Objective: To evaluate, using computerized tomography, the frequency of paranasal sinus involvement in patients with allergic rhinitis. Methods: From among outpatients diagnosed with rhinitis and complaining of nasal obstruction, 60 were selected for evaluation. The patients were submitted to anterior rhinoscopy, skin prick test for reactivity to aeroallergens and computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses. In addition, questionnaires designed to evaluate symptom severity were administered. The Lund score was used to evaluate paranasal sinus involvement on computed tomography scans. Results: Computed tomography scans of the paranasal sinuses were abnormal in 31 patients (52%). The sum of the largest diameters of cutaneous reactions to the aeroallergens, symptom severity and anterior rhinoscopy findings did not differ between patients with paranasal sinus involvement and those without. All the patients with paranasal sinus abnormalities also presented osteomeatal complex abnormalities, whereas only 11 patients (38%) without paranasal sinus involvement presented such abnormalities (p < 0.01). Conclusion: In a sample of patients with allergic rhinitis, the frequency of paranasal sinus abnormalities on computed tomography scans was elevated and did not correlate with symptom severity or skin prick test reactivity but was correlated with osteomeatal complex obstruction.

Keywords: Rhinitis; Sinusitis; Tomography, X-ray computed; Paranasal sinuses/radiography