Sphenoethmoidal air cell sinusitis: A rare cause of recurrent optic neuritis

Wei-Lin OuYang; Christopher Long; Saif Azam; Cassie Jia; Kimberly Gokoffski; Brandon Wong; Vishal Patel

doi:10.1016/j.ajoc.2022.101485

Sphenoethmoidal air cell sinusitis: A rare cause of recurrent optic neuritis

Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep. 2022 Mar 9:26:101485. doi: 10.1016/j.ajoc.2022.101485. eCollection 2022 Jun.

Authors

Wei-Lin OuYang¹, Christopher Long², Saif Azam¹, Cassie Jia¹, Kimberly Gokoffski², Brandon Wong², Vishal Patel^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1500 San Pablo Street, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
² Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1450 San Pablo Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
³ Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, University of Southern California, 2025 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the clinical presentation, imaging characteristics and management of a rare case of Onodi cell sinusitis associated with optic neuropathy.

Observations: A 46-year-old male presented to the emergency department with progressive left eye vision loss over the course of ten days. The constellation of findings from this patient's history, physical, and fundoscopic exam, as well as CT and MR imaging led to the diagnosis of Onodi air cell sinusitis complicated by optic neuropathy. The patient's symptoms resolved fully and vision returned to baseline with oral antibiotics.

Conclusions and importance: The sphenoethmoidal air cell, also known as the Onodi cell, is an anatomic variant of the paranasal sinuses whose spatial relationship with important neurovascular structures carries significant clinical implications when it becomes inflamed or infected. Our case of Onodi cell sinusitis complicated by optic neuropathy demonstrates how vision loss secondary to sinusitis may resolve with oral antibiotic treatment. We additionally review the relevant anatomy, clinical course and treatment of Onodi cell pathologies.

Keywords: Onodi air cell; Optic neuritis; Sinusitis; Sphenoethmoidal air cell.

Publication types

Case Reports