Objetivo: Comparar as imagens obtidas por meio da sinuscopia virtual com aquelas adquiridas por meio da tomografia computadorizada helicoidal, quando da interpretação dos comprometimentos sinusais, considerando as opiniões dos médicos otorrinolaringologistas e radiologistas odontológicos, com a finalidade de validação do método da sinuscopia virtual. Métodos: Foram utilizadas informações obtidas por meio da observação de imagens de 20 casos pertencentes ao arquivo docente, da Unidade de Imagens Dento-Maxilo-Facial da Clínica Felix Boada, em Caracas-Venezuela. Os referidos casos apresentaram imagens adquiridas por meio da tomografia computadorizada helicoidal e imagens obtidas por meio da sinuscopia virtual. As imagens foram analisadas por 2 grupos de observadores, 10 médicos otorrinolaringologistas e 10 radiologistas odontológicos, que responderam a um questionário previamente elaborado. Resultados: Os resultados foram avaliados pelos testes estatísticos de média aritmética, mediana, desvio padrão, análise de médias, percentuais globais, teste não–paramétrico de Kruskal-Wallis e teste não-paramétrico de Wilcoxon. Conclusões: Para os médicos otorrinolaringologistas e radiologistas odontológicos faz-se importante, a associação das imagens obtidas por meio da sinuscopia virtual com as imagens axiais obtidas por meio da tomografia computadorizada helicoidal na interpretação de um comprometimento sinusal. Os radiologistas odontológicos acharam que as imagens axiais obtidas por meio da tomografia computadorizada helicoidal já eram esclarecedoras, na avaliação dos casos, embora também recomendassem a sinuscopia virtual. Nos casos considerados fáceis, a aplicação da sinuscopia virtual foi evidente, porém nos casos difíceis não contribuiu. A sinuscopia virtual isoladamente não oferece condições para a conclusão do diagnóstico de uma afecção sinusal. / Purpose: To compare the images obtained by means of virtual sinuscopy with those formed by means of helical computerized tomography during the interpretation of sinusal compromise taking into consideration the opinions of otorhinolaryngologists and odontological radiologists aiming to validate the method of virtual sinuscopy. Methods: Information obtained through the observation of images of 20 cases belonging to the professorial file, of the Dental – Maxillo - Facial Unit of Images of Félix Boada Clinic in Caracas–Venezuela were used. The cases mentioned above showed images formed by means of the helical computerized tomography and images formed by means of the virtual sinuscopy. The images were analysed by 2 groups of observers, 10 otorhinolaryngologists and 10 odontological radiologists who answered a questionnaire previously prepared. Results: The results were appraised through statistical tests of arithmetic average, median, standard deviation, average analysis, global percentile, Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test and Wilcoxon non-parametric test. Conclusions: To the otorhinolaryngologists and odontological radiologists it is important, the association of the images obtained by means of the virtual sinuscopy with the axial images formed by means of helical computerized tomography in the interpretation of a sinusal compromise. The odontological radiologists thought the axial images formed by means of the helical computerized tomography were already elucidatory, for the evaluation of the cases although they also recommended the virtual sinuscopy. In the cases regarded as easy ones, the application of the virtual sinuscopy was evident, but in the difficult cases it didn’t contribute. The virtual sinuscopy used singly doesn’t offer conditions for a diagnostic conclusion of the sinusal affection.

Objetivo: Comparar as imagens obtidas por meio da sinuscopia virtual com aquelas adquiridas por meio da tomografia computadorizada helicoidal, quando da interpretação dos comprometimentos sinusais, considerando as opiniões dos médicos otorrinolaringologistas e radiologistas odontológicos, com a finalidade de validação do método da sinuscopia virtual. Métodos: Foram utilizadas informações obtidas por meio da observação de imagens de 20 casos pertencentes ao arquivo docente, da Unidade de Imagens Dento-Maxilo-Facial da Clínica Felix Boada, em Caracas-Venezuela. Os referidos casos apresentaram imagens adquiridas por meio da tomografia computadorizada helicoidal e imagens obtidas por meio da sinuscopia virtual. As imagens foram analisadas por 2 grupos de observadores, 10 médicos otorrinolaringologistas e 10 radiologistas odontológicos, que responderam a um questionário previamente elaborado. Resultados: Os resultados foram avaliados pelos testes estatísticos de média aritmética, mediana, desvio padrão, análise de médias, percentuais globais, teste não–paramétrico de Kruskal-Wallis e teste não-paramétrico de Wilcoxon. Conclusões: Para os médicos otorrinolaringologistas e radiologistas odontológicos faz-se importante, a associação das imagens obtidas por meio da sinuscopia virtual com as imagens axiais obtidas por meio da tomografia computadorizada helicoidal na interpretação de um comprometimento sinusal. Os radiologistas odontológicos acharam que as imagens axiais obtidas por meio da tomografia computadorizada helicoidal já eram esclarecedoras, na avaliação dos casos, embora também recomendassem a sinuscopia virtual. Nos casos considerados fáceis, a aplicação da sinuscopia virtual foi evidente, porém nos casos difíceis não contribuiu. A sinuscopia virtual isoladamente não oferece condições para a conclusão do diagnóstico de uma afecção sinusal. / Purpose: To compare the images obtained by means of virtual sinuscopy with those formed by means of helical computerized tomography during the interpretation of sinusal compromise taking into consideration the opinions of otorhinolaryngologists and odontological radiologists aiming to validate the method of virtual sinuscopy. Methods: Information obtained through the observation of images of 20 cases belonging to the professorial file, of the Dental – Maxillo - Facial Unit of Images of Félix Boada Clinic in Caracas–Venezuela were used. The cases mentioned above showed images formed by means of the helical computerized tomography and images formed by means of the virtual sinuscopy. The images were analysed by 2 groups of observers, 10 otorhinolaryngologists and 10 odontological radiologists who answered a questionnaire previously prepared. Results: The results were appraised through statistical tests of arithmetic average, median, standard deviation, average analysis, global percentile, Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test and Wilcoxon non-parametric test. Conclusions: To the otorhinolaryngologists and odontological radiologists it is important, the association of the images obtained by means of the virtual sinuscopy with the axial images formed by means of helical computerized tomography in the interpretation of a sinusal compromise. The odontological radiologists thought the axial images formed by means of the helical computerized tomography were already elucidatory, for the evaluation of the cases although they also recommended the virtual sinuscopy. In the cases regarded as easy ones, the application of the virtual sinuscopy was evident, but in the difficult cases it didn’t contribute. The virtual sinuscopy used singly doesn’t offer conditions for a diagnostic conclusion of the sinusal affection.

Significance Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea (leakage of brain fluid from the nose) can be difficult to identify and currently requires invasive procedures, such as intrathecal fluorescein, which requires a lumbar drain placement. Fluorescein is also known to have rare but significant side effects including seizures and death. As the number of endonasal skull base cases increases, the number of CSF leaks has also increased for which an alternative diagnostic method would be highly advantageous to patients. Aim We aim to develop an instrument to identify CSF leaks based on water absorption in the shortwave infrared (SWIR) without the need of intrathecal contrast agents. This device needed to be adapted to the anatomy of the human nasal cavity while maintaining low weight and ergonomic characteristics of current surgical instruments. Approach Absorption spectra of CSF and artificial CSF were obtained to characterize the absorption peaks that could be targeted with SWIR light. Different illumination systems were tested and refined prior to adapting them into a portable endoscope for testing in 3D-printed models and cadavers for feasibility. Results We identified CSF to have an identical absorption profile as water. In our testing, a narrowband laser source at 1480 nm proved superior to using a broad 1450 nm LED. Using a SWIR enabling endoscope set up, we tested the ability to detect artificial CSF in a cadaver model. Conclusions An endoscopic system based on SWIR narrowband imaging can provide an alternative in the future to invasive methods of CSF leak detection.