Clinical and Radiological Perspectives in Rhinosinusal Pathology

A Special Issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729) belonging to the section "Medical Research".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 May 2026) | Viewed by 921

Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Morpho-Functional Science I, Faculty of General Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
Interests: anatomical variants; chronic rhinosinusitis; septal deviation; concha bullosa; Haller cells; Onodi cells; Agger nassi cells

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of General Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
Interests: allergy; acute rhinosinusitis; acute respiratory distress syndrome

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of General Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
Interests: upper respiratory syndrome; inflammatory disease; infectious disease

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sinus pathology constitutes the predominant category of clinical presentations in otorhinolaryngology departments, representing a significant proportion of both acute and chronic cases. Patients frequently present with a constellation of symptoms that may be specific or nonspecific in nature. These include nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, facial pressure or fullness, hyposmia, and, in many cases, pain localized to the projection areas of the paranasal sinuses.

The diagnostic process relies primarily on clinical assessment, but it is substantially strengthened through imaging investigations. In this regard, computed tomography (CT) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) play a crucial role in determining the extent of disease, identifying anatomical variants, and informing therapeutic decision-making.

The overarching aim of this Special Issue is to provide an in-depth exploration of the diverse etiologies of rhinosinusitis, encompassing viral, bacterial, and fungal origins. Beyond the microbial spectrum, particular emphasis will be placed on the contribution of predisposing anatomical and physiological factors, such as abnormal pneumatization of the paranasal cavities. Moreover, the intricate interplay between rhinosinusal pathology and systemic or comorbid conditions, such as headache, migraine, and depression, will be examined to highlight the broader clinical impact of these disorders. Special attention will be given to studies that integrate clinical expertise with advanced imaging techniques, thereby offering a multidimensional perspective on diagnosis and management.

This Special Issue welcomes the submission of original research articles, narrative and systematic reviews, as well as meta-analyses, with the shared objective of advancing the understanding, diagnosis, and therapeutic strategies related to rhinosinusal pathology. Contributions addressing innovative treatment modalities, surgical techniques, and evidence-based management protocols are particularly encouraged, as they hold promise for improving patient outcomes and shaping future clinical practice.

Dr. Alin Horatiu Nedelcu
Dr. Ancuta Lupu
Dr. Vasile Valeriu Lupu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Life is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • chronic rhinosinusitis
  • CBCT
  • CT
  • acute rhinosinusitis
  • maxillary rhinosinusitis
  • ethmoidal air cells variants
  • maxillary sinus
  • Haller cells
  • Onodi cells
  • concha bullosa
  • Agger nasi cells

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (1 paper)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Other

16 pages, 1282 KB  
Systematic Review
Infraorbital Ethmoid Cells (Haller Cells) and Their Role in Chronic Rhinosinusitis: An Evidence-Based Meta-Analysis
by Alin Horatiu Nedelcu, Emil Anton, Maria-Bianca Andrei, Otilia Elena Frăsinariu, Anton Knieling, Ancuta Lupu, Razvan Tudor Tepordei, Simona Alice Partene Vicoleanu, Gabriel Statescu, Manuela Ursaru, Daniela Carmen Rusu, Sorana Caterina Anton, Ionela Daniela Morariu, Mihaela Mitrea and Vasile Valeriu Lupu
Life 2026, 16(7), 1089; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16071089 - 29 Jun 2026
Viewed by 583
Abstract
Background: Haller cells (HCs), infraorbital pneumatization of the anterior ethmoidal air cells, are anatomical variants frequently located adjacent to the maxillary sinus ostium. Their presence has been hypothesized to interfere with mucociliary drainage and contribute to the pathophysiology of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Despite [...] Read more.
Background: Haller cells (HCs), infraorbital pneumatization of the anterior ethmoidal air cells, are anatomical variants frequently located adjacent to the maxillary sinus ostium. Their presence has been hypothesized to interfere with mucociliary drainage and contribute to the pathophysiology of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Despite numerous imaging-based investigations, the etiological role of Haller cells in CRS remains uncertain. The aim of this meta-analysis is to highlight the association between HC and CRS using data derived from Computed Tomography (CT) and Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) imaging. Materials and Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines and a registered protocol in the PROSPERO database, a systematic search across PubMed, EMBASE, and COCHRANE databases led to the inclusion of eight studies published between 2011 and 2024, comprising 2011 patients. The included studies employed multiplane reconstruction techniques and high-resolution imaging protocols. The majority of studies were retrospective, with only one adopting a prospective design. Results: The pooled odds ratio (OR) for the association between HC and CRS was 1.54 (95% Confidence Interval: 0.93–2.54; p = 0.09), suggesting a non-significant trend toward a positive correlation. Heterogeneity was substantial (I2 = 87%, p < 0.01), due to differences in study design, populations, and diagnostic criteria, contributing to inconsistency in reported estimates across the studies. Moreover, Egger’s test showed no evidence of publication bias (intercept = 0.67, p = 0.895). Although three studies fulfilled all eleven evaluation criteria outlined by the JBI (Joanna Briggs Institute) checklist, the observed variability limits the interpretability of pooled outcomes. Conclusions: These findings suggest that, while HC may play a role in CRS pathogenesis, the current evidence does not support a statistically significant association. Future prospective research using standardized imaging and diagnostic criteria is essential to clarify the clinical impact of HC in sinonasal disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical and Radiological Perspectives in Rhinosinusal Pathology)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop