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Evaluation of posterior clinoid process pneumatization by multidetector computed tomography

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Abstract

In the present study, we investigated the types and ratio of posterior clinoid process (PCP) pneumatization in paranasal sinus multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). Paranasal MDCT images of 541 subjects (227 males, 314 females), between 15 and 65 years old, were included into the study. Pneumatization of anterior clinoid process and pneumatization types (I, II, or III) were evaluated in the males and females. PCP pneumatization was detected in 20.7 % of the males and 11.5 % of the females. Right, left, and bilateral PCP pneumatizations were detected in 7.9, 5.7, and 7.0 % of the males and 2.9, 3.2, and 4.5 % of the females, respectively. PCP pneumatization of the males is significantly higher than the females. The most detected type of pneumatization was type I (61.2 %) for all groups. In right, left, and bilateral pneumatizations separately, type I pneumatization was the most detected pneumatization type with the ratio of the 70.4, 65.2, and 50.0 %, respectively. In males, type I (61.7 %), and similarly in females, type I (60.6 %) pneumatization were detected more. Type II and type III pneumatizations were detected in decreasing order in both groups. In younger subjects, pneumatization of posterior clinoid process was found as higher, and in older subjects, PCP pneumatization was found as lower. Sclerosis process related to the aging may be responsible for the lower pneumatization ratios in older subjects. Structure of the surrounding regions of PCP is important for surgical procedures related to cavernous sinus, basilar apex aneurysms, and mass lesions. Preoperative radiological examinations are useful for operative planning. Any anomalies to PCP can cause unnecessary injury to the neurovascular complex structure around the cavernous sinus or postclinoidectomy CSF fistulas. Posterior clinoidectomies should be avoided in patients with type III PCP pneumatization to prevent CSF fistulas.

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Author contributions

Veysel Burulday: Planning, designing, data collection, and literature survey.

Mehmet Hüseyin Akgül: Planning, designing, data collection, and literature survey.

Nuray Bayar Muluk: Planning, designing, literature survey, statistical analysis, and writing.

Mehmet Faik Ozveren: Literature survey.

Ahmet Kaya: Data collection.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine, Radiology Department, Kırıkkale University, Kırıkkale, Turkey

    Veysel Burulday & Ahmet Kaya

  2. Faculty of Medicine, Neurosurgery Department, Kırıkkale University, Kırıkkale, Turkey

    Mehmet Hüseyin Akgül & Mehmet Faik Ozveren

  3. Faculty of Medicine, ENT Department, Kırıkkale University, Kırıkkale, Turkey

    Nuray Bayar Muluk

  4. Birlik Mahallesi, Zirvekent 2. Etap Sitesi, C-3 blok, No: 6-3/43, 06610, Çankaya, Ankara, Turkey

    Nuray Bayar Muluk

Authors
  1. Veysel Burulday
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  2. Mehmet Hüseyin Akgül
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  3. Nuray Bayar Muluk
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  4. Mehmet Faik Ozveren
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  5. Ahmet Kaya
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nuray Bayar Muluk.

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This study is retrospective. Ethics committee approval was obtained, and there is no need to take informed consent because the data was evaluated retrospectively.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Burulday, V., Akgül, M.H., Muluk, N.B. et al. Evaluation of posterior clinoid process pneumatization by multidetector computed tomography. Neurosurg Rev 40, 403–409 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10143-016-0794-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10143-016-0794-8

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