MRI protocol and image analyses
Head MRI studies were performed on a 3.0 T system (Achieva X-Series,
Philips Medical Systems, OH, USA) and T2-weighted images were used for
the screening of paranasal sinusitis. All T2-weighted images were
obtained in the axial plane, although, if necessary, sagittal or coronal
images were also obtained. The images were analyzed independently by
three observers, with more than 5 years of work experience in
neuroradiology, who were unaware of the participants’ information or the
study’s purpose.