Quest for haller cells: A digital orthopantomography study

Abstract

Aims: Haller Cells refer to the ethmoidal pneumatization and are the extensions of anterior ethmoid sinus into the floor of the orbit and superior aspect of the maxillary sinus, basically an anatomic variation. They may be associated with orofacial pain, sinusitis, nasal obstruction, impaired nasal breathing, headache, chronic cough, and mucocele. The aim of the present study was to identify, determine the prevalence and characteristics of Haller's cells on Digital orthopantomographs in patient's reporting to a dental institution in Chennai. Settings and Design: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study. Subjects and Methods: The study group comprised 600 radiographs inclusive of both genders (379 females and 221 males) with an age range of 20–80 years. Retrospectively panoramic radiograph for each of the patients was viewed and interpreted for the presence of Haller's cells. The data collected was subjected to statistical analysis: frequencies/percentages, descriptive statistics to obtain the results. Statistical Analysis Used: Frequencies/percentages, descriptive statistics using SPSS for Windows Version 20 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA), to obtain the results. Results: Haller's cells were noted in patients, accounting for a prevalence of 23.61%. The majority of the cells were circular, ovoid, and irregular in shape. Conclusions: This study has attempted to explore the characteristics of Haller's cells on panoramic radiographs. A description of Haller's cells on these radiographs may prove vital in enumerating the differential diagnosis for patients afflicted with intractable orofacial pain and reduce the risk of untoward intraoperative complications during endonasal procedures.

Keywords

• Digital panoramic radiographs
• Haller's cells
• infraorbital ethmoid air cells
• orofacial pain