SPHENOID SINUS SEPTA AND IT’S RELATIONS TO INTERNAL CAROTID ARTERY ON CT SCAN IMAGES

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Sphenoid sinus is located in the body of sphenoid, closed with a thin plate of bone tissue that separates it from the important structures such as the optic nerve, optic chiasm, cavernous sinus, pituitary gland, and internal carotid artery. It is divided by one or more vertical septa that are often asymmetric. Because of it’s location and the relationships with important neurovascular and glandular structures, sphenoid sinus represents a great diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the septation of the sphenoid sinus and relationship between the number and position of septa and internal carotid artery in the adult BH population. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of the CT analisys of the paranasal sinuses in 200 patients (104 male, 96 female) were performed using Siemens Somatom Art with the following parameters: 130 mAs: 120 kV, Slice: 5 mm axial. Secondary coronal scans were then generated from original axial slices. Since the aim of this study was to evaluate anatomical variations of sphenoid sinus septation, only patients with no diseases within sphenoid sinus were included. RESULTS: Based on analysis of CT scans of patients we come to the conclusion of existence more than 1 sphenoid septum in 32% of male patients and 22.1% of female patients. In total, tying for the septum to the carotid canal at posterolateral wall of sinus was registered in 19.4% of male, and 16.8% female patients. CONCLUSION: Performing CT of paranasal sinuses before surgery is essential to avoid potential complications resulting from anatomical variations.