Anteriorly tilted CT to visualize the anterior wall of the sphenoid sinus

Objective

To elucidate the effectiveness of a 30-degree anteriorly tilted coronal CT in visualizing the anterior wall of the sphenoid sinus.

Methods

Medical records and CTs of patients who underwent septoplasty, inferior turbinectomy, or endoscopic sinus surgery were reviewed. We evaluated the visibility of the anterior wall of the sphenoid sinus on conventional coronal CT scans and categorized its orientation. We then created anteriorly tilted coronal CT images to evaluate its improved visibility.

Results

A total of 129 patients were evaluated. While conventional coronal CT scans fully visualized the anterior wall of the sphenoid sinus in cases with an Onodi cell, 17.7% remained unidentified when the Onodi cell was absent. However, anteriorly tilted coronal CT scans consistently identified the anterior wall regardless of the presence of an Onodi cell.

Conclusion

Our study highlights the effectiveness of anteriorly tilted coronal CT scans in consistently visualizing the anterior wall of the sphenoid sinus, regardless of the presence of an Onodi cell. It is possible that some other structures may become less identifiable on anteriorly tilted coronal CT.