Is Ethmoidal Air Cell Count Relevant in Chronic Rhinosinusitis?

Abstract

Objectives/Hypothesis: Studies analyzing the association between the total number of ethmoid cells (EC) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) are missing. Our aim was to analyze the total number of EC in patients with and without CRS.Study Design: Retrospective case-control study.Methods: A total of 50 computed tomography (CT) scans of patients with CRS, 14 CT scans of patients with odontogenic CRS, and 50 CT scans of healthy controls were retrospectively analyzed. The number of EC has been determined for each side separately.Results: In total 228 sides have been analyzed. The bilateral total EC count in both planes was more than 2 cells higher, when comparing CRS patients to healthy controls or odontogenic CRS patients (P < .01). No difference was observed, when comparing healthy and odontogenic CRS patients. Conclusion:The number of EC on CT of CRS patients is significantly higher than in both, the healthy and the odontogenic CRS control group. Cell count could contribute to the pathogenesis of CRS.

In Response to Is Ethmoidal Air Cell Count Relevant in CRS?

“…In Reply: Thanks to Professor Satar for his interest in our study on the ethmoidal air cell count in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). 1 As correctly stated, the pathogenesis of CRS to the best of our knowledge is multifactorial and most likely has different causes depending on the endotype. 2 Our article by no means tries to state that aircell count is decisive; however, it is obvious that CRS patients have more cells than healthy controls, irrespective of potentially confounding factors.…”