The human nervus terminalis (terminal nerve) and the nerves to the vomeronasal organ (VNON) are both associated with the olfactory nerves and are of major interest to embryologists. However, there is still limited knowledge on their topographical anatomy in the nasal septum and on the number and distribution of ganglion cells along and near the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone. We observed serial or semiserial sections of 30 fetuses at 7–18 weeks (crown rump length [CRL], 25–160 mm). Calretinin and S100 protein staining demonstrated not only the terminal nerve along the anterior edge of the perpendicular lamina of the ethmoid, but also the VNON along the posterior edge of the lamina. The terminal nerve was composed of 1–2 nerve bundles that passed through the anterior end of the cribriform plate, whereas the VNON consisted of 2–3 bundles behind the olfactory nerves. The terminal nerve ran along and crossed the posterior side of the nasal branch of the anterior ethmoidal nerve. Multiple clusters of small ganglion cells were found on the lateral surfaces of the ethmoid's crista galli, which are likely the origin of both the terminal nerve and VNON. The ganglions along the crista galli were ball-like and 15–20 µm in diameter and, ranged from 40–153 in unilateral number according to our counting at 21-µm-interval except for one specimen (480 neurons; CRL, 137 mm). An effect of nerve degeneration with increasing age seemed to be masked by a remarkable individual difference.
Calbindin 2 ; Ethmoid Bone ; Fetus ; Ganglion Cysts ; Humans ; Individuality ; Masks ; Nasal Septum ; Nerve Degeneration ; Neurons ; Olfactory Nerve ; Vomeronasal Organ

To investigate the morphologic characteristics of the retromaxillary posterior ethmoid.A total of 103 outpatients encountered in our hospital during March 2012 and December 2012,who completed paranasal sinus CT examination,were included in this study.Patients had no sinus trauma,surgery or tumor history.Their paranasal sinus CT scans were analyzed from scheduled axial and coronal plane.The incidence and imaging features of the retromaxillary posterior ethmoid were observed.The retromaxillary posterior ethmoid(RMPE)was the posterior ethmoid cell that expanded along the lamina papyracea toward the infraorbital region.RMPE was located behind the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus and under the orbital floor.The occurrence rate of the RMPE was 74.3%.The ethmomaxillary septum is the bony septum the between the maxillary sinus and posterior ethmoid.Anatomical confirmation of RMPE is based mainly on the presence of the ethmomaxillary septum.RMPE is located at the back of ethmomaxillary septum.The sagittal angulation of the ethmomaxillary septum ranged from 22 to 87 degrees,with an average of(50.34±12.10)degrees.The ethmomaxillary septum is important for anatomic recognition of the RMPE.Accurate identification of the RMPE before ESS can help improve the removal of the posterior ethmoid sinus.
Ethmoid Bone ; Ethmoid Sinus ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Maxillary Sinus ; Paranasal Sinus Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

IgG4-related sclerosing disease (IgG4-RSD) is characterized by extensive IgG4-positive plasma cell and T-lymphocyte infiltration of various organs. However, the nasal cavity is an extremely rare site of involvement. The authors experienced three cases of igG4-RSD in the nasal cavity. A 54-year-old woman presented with a nasal cavity mass on endoscopic exam and computed tomography (CT) revealed not only a hypoenhancing mass in the right nasal cavity but also a pituitary gland macroadenoma. Endoscopic removal and endoscopic TSA were performed. A 20-year-old man diagnosed with chronic sinusitis, underwent endoscopic sinus surgery. A 26-year-old woman showed thickening of the nasal septum and cribriform plate, and an infiltrating soft tissue lesion in right the alveolar process on CT and an endoscopic biopsy was performed. Pathologic specimens of all cases showed IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltration, consistent with IgG4-RSD. Serum IgG4 levels were checked in two of the cases, and the results were within normal range. All cases were further treated with methylprednisolone and all showed clinical improvement.
Adult ; Alveolar Process ; Biopsy ; Ethmoid Bone ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Methylprednisolone ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Cavity* ; Nasal Septum ; Pituitary Gland ; Plasma Cells ; Reference Values ; Sinusitis ; T-Lymphocytes ; Young Adult

The "nasal swell body" (NSB) or septal turbinate is a distinct structure of the anterior nasal septum that is observed on endoscopic and radiographic examination. It is primarily a glandular rather than a venous formation that is comprised of septal cartilage, bone, and thick mucosal lining. It is commonly found in patients with symptoms of chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, and is linked to septal deviation. Space occupying lesions of the septum such as tumors, mucoceles, and pneumatization of the septum can lead to anatomical and functional disorders such as nasal obstruction and sinusitis, while more serious clinical conditions can develop when these lesions are combined with the NSB. Recently, there has been emphasis on the functional aspects of the NSB. It is especially being emphasized for clinicians to pay attention to the NSB and its connection with the stuffy nose. We report an interesting case of the NSB combined with pneumatization of the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone causing severe nasal obstruction and repetitive sinusitis along with a literature review.
Cartilage ; Ethmoid Bone* ; Humans ; Mucocele ; Nasal Obstruction ; Nasal Septum ; Nose ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Sinusitis ; Turbinates

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of anatomical abnormalities in non-sinusitis-related rhinogenous headache and to evaluate effects of nasal endoscopic surgery for non-sinusitis-related rhinogenous headache. METHOD: Sixty-eight patients diagnosed as non-sinusitis-related rhinogenous headache were selected in this study. They were treated with nasal endoscopic surgery after failed long-term medical treatment. Data from this group were analyzed retrospectively. RESULT: Multiple anatomical abnormalities were noted by endoscopy and sinus computed tomographic scans in the 66 patients. These included nasal septum deviation in 46 cases (67.6%), middle turbinate gasfication in 20 cases (29.4%), protruding ethmoid bulla or uncinate processor in 10 cases (14.7%) and abnormal middle turbinate in 8 case (11.8%). Fifty-six (82.4%) patients showed significant improvement after surgery. CONCLUSION Non-sinusitis-related rhinogenous headache can be significantly minimized with individual nasal endoscopic surgery, as long as a precise identification of the etiologic anatomical factor can be made.
Endoscopy ; Ethmoid Bone ; abnormalities ; Ethmoid Sinus ; abnormalities ; Headache ; surgery ; Humans ; Nasal Septum ; abnormalities ; Nasal Surgical Procedures ; Retrospective Studies ; Sinusitis ; Turbinates ; abnormalities

The olfactory groove schwannoma is a quite rare tumor. We report a case of a 49-year-old woman with an olfactory groove schwannoma attached to the cribriform plate without olfactory dysfunction. She had no specific neurological symptoms other than a headache, and resection of the tumor showed it to be a schwannoma. About 19 months after the operation, a follow-up MRI showed no evidence of tumor recurrence. Surgical resection through subfrontal approach could be one of the curative modality in managing an olfactory groove schwannoma. An olfactory groove schwannoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of anterior skull base tumors.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Ethmoid Bone* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Headache ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Neurilemmoma* ; Prefrontal Cortex ; Recurrence ; Skull Base

The bony naso-orbital-ethmoid (NOE) complex is a 3-dimensional delicate anatomic structure. Damages to this region may result in severe facial dysfunction and malformation. The management and optimal surgical treatment strategies of NOE fractures remain controversial. For a patient with NOE trauma, doctors should perform comprehensive clinical examination and radiographic analysis to assess the type and extent of fracture. The results of assessment will assist doctors to make a patientspecific program for the sake of reducing post-operation complications and restoring normal appearance and function as much as possible. This review focuses on the advancement of management of NOE fractures including symptoms, classifications, diagnosis, approaches, treatment and new techniques in this field.
Ethmoid Bone ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation ; Humans ; Nasal Bone ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; surgery ; Orbital Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; Tendons ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: To report a case of orbital aspergillosis with third nerve palsy. CASE SUMMARY: A 75-year-old male presented with abrupt onset of visual impairment, extraocular movement limitation, and ptosis. The patient previously experienced rhinolalia and headache and was diagnosed with sinusitis 2 months prior, and was treated with oral antibiotics for 1 week. Orbital magnetic resonance imaging revealed a mass with bone erosion including the nasal cavity, ethmoid bone, and left orbit suggestive of fugal sinusitis. Aspergillus was detected histopathologically in the mass which was removed by endoscopic surgery. Amphotericin B was administered intravenously for 7 days along with voriconazole. There was no recurrence during the follow-up period. Extraocular movement limitations and ptosis were recovered postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The present study results indicate that visual impairment and third nerve palsy can develop in a patient with orbital aspergillosis.
Aged ; Amphotericin B ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Aspergillosis* ; Aspergillus ; Ethmoid Bone ; Follow-Up Studies ; Headache ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Nasal Cavity ; Oculomotor Nerve Diseases* ; Orbit* ; Recurrence ; Sinusitis ; Speech Disorders ; Vision Disorders

Ethmoid Bone ; injuries ; Humans ; Orbital Fractures ; surgery ; Skull Fractures ; surgery

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea usually occurs after a traumatic or non-traumatic head injury, as more than 80% of all cases of CSF rhinorrhea are caused by traumatic head injuries. In fact, CSF rhionorrhea is observed in 2 to 3% of traumatic head injuries, with 50% of the CSF found in the anterior cranial fossa, but mostly of them in the cribriform plate. CSF rhionorrhea can occur two days after a traumatic head injury, but it can take up to 3 months to notice the symptoms of CSF rhionorrhea in a patient with a traumatic head injury. Iatrogenic CSF rhionorrhea is usually caused by neurosurgery operation or otorhinolaryngological surgery such as sinus surgery. For example, closed reduction treating nasal bone fractures can cause CSF rhionorrhea, so patients should be watched at all times. This paper reports two cases of CSF rhionorrhea caused by closed nasal reduction.
Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea* ; Cranial Fossa, Anterior ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Endoscopes ; Ethmoid Bone ; Fractures, Closed ; Humans ; Nasal Bone ; Neurosurgery ; Surgical Flaps