Septation of the Sphenoid Sinus and its ClinicalSignificance

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 its 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 analysis 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: 3 mm. For the coronal scan, patients were placed in supine position with their chin hyper extended and scan plane angled such that it was as perpendicular to the hard palate. Scanning was completed from the anterior frontal sinus to the sphenoid sinus. Axial scans were performed from the maxillary sinus floor to the level of the frontal sinus roof, in a plane parallel with the hard palate. 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