Is there a relationship between sphenoid sinus pneumatization and carotid canal-intersinus septa connection?

• Published in: International journal of neuroscience 2024-01, p.1-8
• Main Authors: Özdemir, Adnan, Muluk, Nuray Bayar, Şencan, Ziya
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0020-7454; 1563-5279; 1543-5245
• DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2024.2313011

We investigated the relationship between sphenoid sinus (SS) pneumatization types, carotid canal types and carotid canal-intersinus septa connection. The paranasal sinus computed tomography (PNSCT) images of 274 patients (141 males and 133 females) were evaluated retrospectively. SS pneumatization, SS intersinus septation, SS intersinus septa deviation, carotid canal classification, carotid canal dehiscence, carotid canal-intersinus septa connection and presence of Onodi cells were evaluated. In presellar and sellar SS, type 1 carotid canal detected. However, type 3 carotid canal was detected more in postsellar SS. On the left side, in 26.4% of the postsellar SS, carotid canal dehiscence was detected. On the right side, carotid canal-intersinus septa connection was detected 55.8% of the postsellar SS and 35.1% of the sellar SS. On the left side, it was detected 58.3% of the postsellar SS and 30.9% of the sellar SS. In postsellar type SS pneumatized cases, right caroid canal-intersinus septa connection increased as 5.4 fold and left carotid canal-intersinus septa connection increased as 7.3 fold compared to presellar type SS pneumatization. In 2≥ intersinus septa group, left carotid canal-Intersinus septa connection increased as 5.0 fold compared to "no septa" group. In this study, we evaluated sphenoid sinus (SS) pneumatization types and their relation with carotid canal types and carotid canal-intersinus septa connections. Type 3 carotid canal (protrudation to SS wall) was detected more in postsellar SS. In these cases, surgeons should be very careful during surgery to avoid the damage to the Internal carotid artery (ICA).