Surgical-related Morphological Characteristics of Sphenoid Sinuses: A Comprehensive CT-Based Analysis.

Abstract

Background: This study aims to assess the relationships between sphenoid sinus (SS) types, septation, lobulation, symmetry, septal deviation, and the variations in SS pneumatization regarding the surrounding neurovascular structures using Computed tomography (CT) images. Sexes and age groups were investigated.

Material and methods: We retrospectively evaluated head CT-scans of 320 patients (age range 18-49 years); mean of 43.13 ± 17.39 to evaluate the morphological characteristics of the SS (Symmetry, Pneumatization, Extension, Septation, Lobulation, Internal Carotid, and Optic Nerve). Analyses were performed using SPSS version 20.0 (IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA), with a 95% confidence level.

Results: Our findings revealed an incidence of anatomographical variations in terms of pneumatization that varied between 0.3% (conchal)-60% (postsellar). These variants include 72.5% subdorsal extension, 92.2% lobular extension. Septations either presented as complete septa (90.9%) which extend from the anterior to the posterior wall dividing the sinus into different antra or as incomplete accessory septa. We also demonstrated anatomographic variants in terms of Internal Carotid (ICA), and Optic Nerve (ON). As sphenoid sinuses pneumatize more, the frequency of optic nerve (ON) and internal carotid artery (ICA) protrusion and wall dehiscence into the sinus increases.

Conclusions: Results show that anatomic variations and pneumatization of the paranasal sinuses holds significant importance in diagnosing and understanding sinus pathologies The findings underscore a potential correlation between the anatomical variants of the SS and the presence of population group variability. Key words:Sphenoid sinus, CT scan, •Sellar type, Internal carotid artery, Optic nerve.