CBCT analysis of haller cells: relationship with accessory maxillary ostium and maxillary sinus pathologies.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of Haller Cell (HC) in a group of the Turkish population and to evaluate its relationship with accessory maxillary ostium (AMO) in presence of maxillary sinusitis.

METHODS

621 CBCT images which were performed for various dental complaints between December 2015 and December 2017 were evaluated retrospectively. Presence of HC, AMO and maxillary sinus pathologies was analyzed. The Pearson's Chi-square test was used between the groups.

RESULTS

The incidence of HC in our patients was 7.73%. 36 female and 12 male patients with HC were found; thus, the female:male ratio was 3:1 (p < 0.05). Among 1242 maxillary sinuses, 61maxillary sinuses have HC (4.9%) which makes 27.1% of the HC as unilateral cases. 307 of the 1242 maxillary sinus had AMO (24.7%). The relationship between the presence of AMO and maxillary sinus pathology was found significant (p < 0.05); however, the relationship between HC and maxillary sinus pathology was not significant (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Although HC is a possible predisposal factor, it is not a determinant for maxillary sinus pathologies per se.