Section: 
Rhinology issues
Rhinology issuesEthmoid hyperpneumatization as promotor of nose and sinus disorders
N. V. Volov (1), T. Yu. Vladimirova (2), M. K. Blashentsev (3), A. S. Nevalenaya (4), N. V. Vibe (5)
(1) Medical University „Reaviz“, Samara, 443001, Russian Federation, (2), (3) Samara State Medical University, Samara, 443099, Russian Federation, (1), (4), (5) Ambulatornyj Centr N1, Samara, 443008, Russian Federation
UDK: УДК 616.715.6-06:616.213.2-06:616.216.1/.2-002
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18692/1810-4800-2025-5-69-77
ABSTRACT
Abstract. Introduction. Bullous middle nasal turbinates (BMNT) and Haller cells (HC) are a common variant of ethmoid bone hyperpneumatization. Objective. To determine the prevalence of Haller cells and bullous turbinates among rhinological patients, to study the relationships with pathological conditions of the nose and paranasal sinuses based on a continuous study of computed tomograms. Methods. The article presents the results of a continuous study of 1,000 computed tomograms of rhinological patients examined in 2023. Our attention was paid to determining the prevalence of BMNT and HC in the study sample, distribution by gender and age. Pathological conditions of the paranasal sinuses in the form of their darkening, deviated nasal septum were considered in order to determine the relationships with hyperpneumatization of the ethmoid bone. Results. The prevalence of BMNT and HC in the studied sample was 28.3 and 4%, respectively. No relationships were found between age, gender, and the presence of BMNT and HC. The statistical analysis of the data suggests that the identified BMNT and HC are two independent structural variants and are not a single process of ethmoid bone hyperpneumatization. Statistically significant relationships were obtained between BMNT and nasal septum deviation in equidistant areas. We suggest that the nasal septum deformation is due to the presence of a bullous turbinate, and not vice versa. We did not receive reliable statistical data on the relationships between HC and paranasal sinus pathology. At the same time, significant relationships were found between bullous middle nasal turbinates and paranasal sinusitis. The severity of the connections of the BMNT and radiological signs of sinusitis to a greater extent associated with the frontal, sphenoid sinus and ethmoid labyrinth; to a lesser extent, with the maxillary sinus. Discussion. The study confirms the need for surgical correction of altered middle nasal turbinates in patients suffering from chronic sinusitis.
Publication date:
20.10.2025
Keywords:
ethmoid hyperpneumatization, Haller cell, bullous middle nasal turbinates, sinusitis For citation:
Volov N. V., Vladimirova T. Yu., Blashentsev M. K., Nevalenaya A. S., Vibe N. V. Ethmoid hyperpneumatization as promotor of nose and sinus disorders. Russian Otorhinolaryngology. 2025;24(5):69-77. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.18692/1810-4800-2025-5-69-77