title: Cone-beam computed tomography analysis of accessory maxillary ostium and Haller cells: Prevalence and clinical significance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of Haller cells and accessory maxillary ostium (AMO) in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images, and to analyze the relationships among Haller cells, AMO, and maxillary sinusitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Volumetric CBCT scans from 201 patients were retrieved from our institution's Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine archive folder. Two observers evaluated the presence of Haller cells, AMO, and maxillary sinusitis in the CBCT scans.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AMO was observed in 114 patients, of whom 27 (23.7%) had AMO exclusively on the right side, 26 (22.8%) only on the left side, and 61 (53.5%) bilaterally. Haller cells were identified in 73 (36.3%) patients. In 24 (32.9%) they were present exclusively on the right side, in 17 (23.3%) they were only present on the left side, and in 32 (43.8%) they were located bilaterally. Of the 73 (36.3%) patients with Haller cells, maxillary sinusitis was also present in 50 (68.5%). On using chi-square test, a significant association was observed between AMO and maxillary sinusitis in the presence of Haller cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results showed AMO and Haller cells to be associated with maxillary sinusitis. This study provides evidence for the usefulness of CBCT in imaging the bony anatomy of the sinonasal complex with significantly higher precision and a smaller radiation dose.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Ibrahim K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Kaustubh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sansare
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Freny R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Karjodkar
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Kavita
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vanga
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Prashant
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Salve
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Ajinkya M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Pawar
keywords: Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; Maxillary Sinusitis