Computed tomography and histopathological evaluation of osteitis in rabbit models with rhinosinusitis.

CONCLUSIONS: There is clear correspondence between HU and histopathological evaluation of osteitis. It is feasible to evaluate bone remodeling in rabbit models with rhinosinusitis by measuring the HU.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether the HUs of rabbit CRS models can be used to objectively evaluate the degree of osteitis.

METHODS: Sixty rabbit models were inoculated with staphylococcus aureus. The rabbits were divided into three groups. Each group was divided into a medication administration team and a control team. The HU of the bone in each image was measured. All of the animals were executed after the CT exam. The samples for the mucous and bone changes using light microscope observation were scored. These scores and the HU measurements were compared to the actual bone remodeling over time to examine whether we could evaluate bone remodeling by measuring the HU.

RESULTS: The average HU scores in Groups A, B, and C were significantly higher than those of normal rabbits (p < .05). The mucous and bone scores increased as the experimental period lengthened (p = .042, 0.002). HU correlated with the mucous and bone scores in rabbit models with rhinosinusitis (coefficient r = .830, 0.641, 0.586, p = .000).