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Carotid canal and optic canal at sphenoid sinus

Neurosurgical Review volume 42, pages 519–529 (2019)Cite this article

Abstract

In the present study, we investigated the relationship between sphenoid sinus, carotid canal, and optic canal on paranasal sinus computed tomography (PNSCT). This study was performed retrospectively. PNSCT images of 300 adult subjects (159 male, 141 female). Sphenoid sinus (pneumatisation, dominancy, septation, inter-sinus septa deviation), anterior clinoid process pneumatisation, Onodi cell, carotid and optic canals (width, dehiscence, classification) were measured. In males, type 3 pneumatised sphenoid sinus (in both sides) and in females type 2 pneumatised sphenoid sinus (right side) and type 3 pneumatised sphenoid sinus (left side) were detected more. Anterior clinoid pneumatisation was present 47.2% in males and 39.7% in females. In male group, more septation (i.e. 22.6%, ≥ 3 septa) in sphenoid sinus were detected. Onodi cell was present 26.6 and 19.1% in males and females, respectively. Carotid canal protrudation to the sphenoid sinus wall was present 23.9–32.1% in males and 35.5–36.2% in females. Dehiscence in carotid canal was detected more in females (34%) compared to males (22%). Optic canal protrudation was 33.3 and 30.5% in males and females. Type 4 optic canal was detected more in both gender. Optic canal dehiscence was detected 11.3 and 9.9% in males and females. Carotid and optic canal diameters were higher in males. In pneumatised sphenoid sinuses and in females, type 3 carotid canal (Protrudation to SS wall) (bilaterally) and type 1 optic canal type (No indentation) (ipsilateral side) were detected more. In elderly patients, carotid and optic canal width increased. When carotid canal protrudation was detected, there was no indentation in optic canals In pneumatised SS, carotid canal protrudation was observed with a greater risk in surgery. However, type 1 (non indentation) optic canal was present in highly pneumatised SS with lower risk for the surgery. In women, the risk of carotid canal protruding (about 1/3) is greater than that of males, and carotid canal dehiscence rates are also higher in females. Therefore, physicians should be very careful during the preparatory stages of the sphenoid sinus surgery. Otherwise, it may not be possible to prevent lethal carotid artery bleeds.

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Author information

Affiliations

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

    Neşe Asal, Mikail Inal & Mehmet Hamdi Şahan

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

    Nuray Bayar Muluk

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

    Nuray Bayar Muluk

  4. Faculty of Medicine, Radiology Department, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras, Turkey

    Adil Doğan

  5. ENT Clinics, Adana Numune Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey

    Osman Kürşat Arıkan

Authors
  1. Neşe Asal
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  2. Nuray Bayar Muluk
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  3. Mikail Inal
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Contributions

Neşe ASAL: Planning, designing, data collection, literature survey.

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

Mikail INAL: Planning, designing, literature survey.

Mehmet Hamdi ŞAHAN: Planning, designing, literature survey.

Adil Doğan: Planning, designing, literature survey.

Osman Kürşat Arıkan: Planning, designing, literature survey.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nuray Bayar Muluk.

Ethics declarations

This retrospective study was conducted in Kırıkkale University Faculty of Medicine according to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Ethics committee approval was obtained from Adana City Training and Research Hospital; Clinical Researches Ethics Committee was also taken (Date: 27.03.2018, Number:184).

Conflict of interest

The author Neşe ASAL declares that he has no conflict of interest.

The author Nuray BAYAR MULUK declares that she has no conflict of interest.

The author Mikail INAL declares that he has no conflict of interest.

The author Mehmet Hamdi ŞAHAN declares that he has no conflict of interest.

The author Adil Doğan declares that he has no conflict of interest.

The author Osman Kürşat Arıkan declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Additional information

This study is retrospective. Ethics committee approval was obtained from Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Clinical Researches Ethics Committee was also taken (Date: 27.03.2018, Number:184)

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Asal, N., Bayar Muluk, N., Inal, M. et al. Carotid canal and optic canal at sphenoid sinus. Neurosurg Rev 42, 519–529 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10143-018-0995-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10143-018-0995-4

Keywords

  • Sphenoid sinus
  • Carotid canal
  • Optic canal
  • Anterior clinoid process
  • Pneumatisation
  • Dehiscency
  • Onodi cell