Role of the haller's cell in chronic maxillary sinusitis

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to investigate the anatomical variations [such as Haller's cell], which encroach on the osteomeatal complex area and whether they are more prevalent in a symptomatic group than in a control group. The study also aimed to detect whether the prevalence of Haller's cell seen on CT poses a technical problem as regards the surgeon and whether the Haller's cell has a role in chronic maxillary sinusitis. A detailed analysis of coronal and axial CT scans of the paranasal sinuses was obtained from forty patients scanned for intraorbital disease [control group] along with one hundred patients with chronic rhinosinusitis diagnosed on the basis of their history and outpatient endoscopy and confirmed by radiology and surgery [sinus group]. Identification of the anatomic variation and mucosal abnormalities with special attention directed to Haller's cells was made. The results showed a significant prevalence of the Haller's cells [14%] in sinus group versus the control group [7.5%]. In those patients with Haller's cells, osteomeatal narrowing was 85.7% and 0% in sinus and control groups, respectively. While, maxillary sinus mucosal abnormalities were 85.7% and 33.3% in sinus and control groups, respectively