Three-dimensional volumetric investigation of Onodi cells: a multi-slice computer tomography study

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate and evaluate the volumetric variation of OCs by using multi-slice computer tomography (MSCT) scans. Methods: A retrospective review of MSCT scans of 79 subjects was performed, in which 40 were males, 39 were females, age range was 18 to 83 years and mean age was 39.6 years. The volumes of OCs on the right and left sides were measured by using ITK-SNAP open-source software with semi-automatic segmentation. The possible relationships among age, gender, contact with optic nerve, extension of the pneumatization of posterior ethmoid cells into the clinoid processes, mucous thickening in the anterior and posterior ethmoid cells and obliteration of the sphenoethmoidal complex were analysed with Pearson's correlation and chi-square tests according to type of compared data and logistic regression models (P < 0.05). Results: It was observed that an increase of one unit in the volume of OCs also increases the chance of extension of pneumatization into the clinoid processes by 0.15% (P = 0.001). No significant correlations were identified between age, gender and volume of OCs. Conclusion: The volume of OCs has effects on the extension of pneumatization into the clinoid processes.