title: Visual loss in patients with sphenoethmoidal cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A sphenoethmoidal cell is a posterior ethmoid cell that pneumatises superiorly and/or laterally to the sphenoid sinus. Disease within such a cell may cause visual symptoms because of the close relationship of the optic nerve.
  
  
  METHODS
  This paper reports four cases of chronic rhinosinusitis involving a sphenoethmoidal cell, two with visual loss. The management of such cases is discussed and the current literature is reviewed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pathology within a sphenoethmoidal cell must be considered in cases of optic neuropathy. The presence of these cells may be relevant even in cases of seemingly uncomplicated rhinosinusitis as they are associated with a higher rate of optic nerve protrusion and dehiscence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology,Nose and Ear Hospital,London,UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rimmer
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Royal National Throat,Nose and Ear Hospital,London,UK.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Beale
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology,Nose and Ear Hospital,London,UK.
authors.forename: V J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Lund
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001766:Blindness / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005004:Ethmoid Bone / Q000473:pathology; D005005:Ethmoid Sinus / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009078:Mucocele / Q000473:pathology*; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000473:pathology; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000473:pathology; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000473:pathology*; D013101:Sphenoid Sinus / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: Optic Neuropathy