Haller Cells and Accessory Maxillary Ostium: Prevalence and Association with Maxillary Sinusitis- A Retrospective CBCT Study

Abstract

Background: To assess the frequency of Haller cells and accessory maxillary ostium (AMO) in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images and to analyze the correlations among Haller cells, AMO, and maxillary sinusitis.

Materials and Methods: Volumetric CBCT scans from 400 patients were examined to assess the association of AMO and Haller cells with maxillary sinusitis. The CBCT images were assessed by two radiologists with experience of minimum 10years individually at different times.

 Results: Of 1600 patient CBCT scans, Haller cells were recognized in 1184(74%), present exclusively on the right side in 240(20.27%) patients, left side in 208(17.56%) and bilaterally in 736(62.16%) patients. Maxillary sinusitis was noted in 560(35%) of the total sample of patients. AMO was observed in 896(56%) patients, present exclusively on the right side in 128(14.28%), 176(19.64%) only on the left side, and 592(66.07%) in bilaterally. The chi-square test showed a significant association between AMO and maxillary sinusitis in the presence of Haller cells.

Conclusion: Present study showed AMO and Haller cells are significantly associated with maxillary sinusitis. This study showed that CBCT can be useful for sinus endoscopic surgeons during the surgeries in maxillary sinus region.