Introduction
Sieve bone cells (lat. Sinus ethmoidalis, also called Cellulae ethmoidales) are a variety of air-filled spaces in the ethmoid bone (Os ethmoidale). A distinction is made between front and rear ethmoidal cells, which form the ethmoidal labyrinth.
Together with the maxillary, sphenoid and frontal sinuses, the ethmoid cells belong to the paranasal sinuses. As such, they can also become inflamed and cause pain. The main function of the ethmoidal cells is probably, as in all sinuses, to save weight by filling the cavity with air (pneumatization of the bone). Other functions are still being researched and are considered controversial.
Causes
Due to the connection of the ethmoidal cells to the outside, infections that originally originate in the area of the nose can migrate into the paranasal sinuses, i.e. also into the ethmoidal cells. One speaks then of an inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, a sinusitis. In most cases, these inflammations are caused by viral pathogens that have already caused symptoms in the main nasal cavity.
However, bacteria can also be the cause of a ethmoid cell inflammation or settle secondarily on already weakened areas. While the maxillary sinus is often the site of a sinusitis in adults, the ethmoidal cells are most likely to be affected in children. Frequently, an accumulation of secretion and pus inside the cavities occurs, since the inflow and outflow path is only a relatively narrow gap.
Symptoms
Such an inflammation of the ethmoidal cells is also noticeable: Usually the complaints increase when bending and leaning forward.
- Feeling of pressure over forehead and nose as well as under or behind the eyes
- Headaches
- A previous or still current cold (rhinitis)
- Occasionally also fever
Diagnosis
These typical symptoms are usually sufficient to make a diagnosis of sinusitis. Especially in cases of severe unclear progressions or unclear localization, a rhinoscopy may also be considered. In this case, the doctor uses a rhinoscope to examine the nasal cavities from the inside and can thus assess the condition of the mucous membranes. In addition, an X-ray image as well as computer tomographic images of the nose and paranasal sinuses can be taken.