Abstract
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS
Onodi cells are the posterior-most ethmoid air cells that lie superior to the sphenoid sinus. Identification of these cells
is essential prior to endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery due to their intricate relationship with the optic nerves and
carotid arteries, which may lead to deleterious complications. In this study, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans
from 170 adult-patients were analyzed by two independent observers for the presence of Onodi cells.
STUDY DESIGN
Radiographic analysis at a tertiary care medical center.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis was performed on patients undergoing HRCT between July 2008 and September 2010. Incidence of Onodi
cells and demographic data were collected.
RESULTS
The overall prevalence of Onodi cells in this cohort was 65.3%. Subgroup analysis based on ethnicity showed a rate of Onodi
cells of 83.3% in Asians, 73.1% in whites, 57.0% in African Americans, and 62.7% in Hispanics. The prevalence of Onodi cells
was not significantly different among the different ethnicities (P > .05). However, this was limited by a small sample size
in some ethnic groups. Onodi cell prevalence was equivalent among males and females: 62.2% and 63.5% respectively (P > .05).
Overall, our results show a greater prevalence of Onodi cells than previously reported.
CONCLUSIONS
We found a higher prevalence of Onodi cells in our cohort than previously reported in the literature. Therefore, it is important
for surgeons to anticipate the presence of these cells during endoscopic sinus and skull base procedures to prevent potential
complications.
Links
Authors
Tomovic S, Esmaeili A, Chan NJ, Choudhry OJ, Shukla PA, Liu JK, Eloy JA
Institution
Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, 90 Bergen Street, Suite 8100, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.
Source
The Laryngoscope 122:7 2012 Jul pg 1470-3MeSH
AdultAged
Aged, 80 and over
Ethmoid Sinus
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Retrospective Studies
Sphenoid Sinus
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Young Adult
Pub Type(s)
Journal ArticleLanguage
eng
PubMed ID
22685058
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