Prevalence of Haller's Cell by Using Panoramic Radiography

Haller cells are located between the maxillary sinus, the lower asped of orbit the ethmoid bulla, the lateral aspect of uncinate process and medial aspect of infraorbital channel. The definitive diagnosis is difficult due to location and it is based on radiological images, especially maxillary sinus CT scan. Haller cells are not pathologic thenselves, but narrowing of the infundibulum and ostium of the maxillary sinus and the presence of these cells may cause symptoms such as chronic rhino sinusitis, recurrent sinusitis, headache, swelling of the eyes and mucocele. Therefore, it is useful to determine the prevalence of these cells in common radiographs such as panoramic radiographs and to improve the knowledge of dentists and surgeons in this field.
In this cross sectional study panoramicradiographs of 935 patients including 367 male and 568 female subjects were evaluated in3 age groups (under 18, between 18 and 45 and above 45 years old) based onAhmad Mansour protocols for the presence and characteristics of Hallercells. (Single or multiple round oval or tear shaped radiolucencies with welldefined borders which are located medial to infraorbital canal). Data were analyzed using frequency table, odds ratio (OR) and Chi-Square test.
Haller cells were observed in 11.1% of these images (104 cases). The cells were observed in women more frequently than men; 12% of women (68 cases) against 9.8% of men (36 cases), but this difference was not statistically significant. Haller cells are most prevalent in the age group over 45years (P=0.001). The unilateral and multilocular Haller cells were observed more often than other forms (45 cases, 4.8%) and sinusitis was significantly more prevalent in those who had Haller cells (P=0.039).
Although CT scan is the standard method for detection of Haller cells, but panoramic radiograph scan also provide good images for diagnosis of Haller cells. So, taking Haller cells as one of the visible and landmarks in the panoramic will help dentists in the differential diagnosis of orofacial pain.