THE ANATOMIC RELEVANCE OF THE HALLER CELL IN SINUSITIS

In current theories of sinusitis obstruction at the ostiomeatal comple x leads to localized inflammation and infection. Haller cells, an exte nsion of ethmoid ethmoid pneumatization along the maxillary antrum roo f; have also been suggested as a causative factor in sinusitis because of their ability to cause narrowing of the infundibulum. Coronal CT s cans were reviewed in 154 patients to evaluate the role of Haller cell s in sinusitis. Haller cells were present in 34% of patients. The cell s were graded as small, medium, or large, and correlated with radiolog ic evidence of sinusitis (e.g., mucosal thickening or opacification). A statistically significant increase in maxillary sinus mucosal diseas e was noted in patients with medium or large Haller cells (45.8%) vers us those with small cells (28.9%, p < 0.05). Thus obstructive medium a nd large Haller cells may be an etiologic factor in sinusitis.