Haller cells

Haller cells, also known as infraorbital ethmoidal air cells, are ethmoid air cells located lateral to the maxillo-ethmoidal suture along the inferomedial orbital floor.

Epidemiology

They are present in ~20% (range 2-45%) of patients, depending on their exact definition .

Clinical presentation

In most instances they are asymptomatic and (although some controversy exists ) they are generally not thought to be associated with increased rates of sinusitis .

They may become clinically significant in a number of situations:

• become infected, with the potential for extension into the orbit
• may narrow the ipsilateral ostiomeatal complex (OMC) if large, thereby predisposing the ipsilateral maxillary antrum to obstruction
• may lead to inadvertent entry into the orbit if unrecognised at endoscopic surgery 

History and etymology

They are named after Albrecht von Haller (1708-1777) , Swiss anatomist and physiologist; he was a qualified medical doctor but was unsuccessful in clinical practice.

See also

• agger nasi cells: anteriormost ethmoidal cells
• Onodi cells: sphenoethmoidal cells
• supraorbital air cells

Siehe auch:

• Onodizelle
• Concha bullosa
• pneumatisiertes Dorsum sellae
• Agger nasi Zelle
• orbital floor

und weiter:

• Anomalien der Nasennebenhöhlen
• ethmoid bone
• labyrinth of ethmoid
• ostiomeatal narrowing due to nasal anatomical variations