Sphenoethmoid Cell: The Battle for Places Inside of the Nose Between a Posterior Ethmoid Cell and Sphenoid Sinus: 3D-Volumetric Quantification

Evaluation of the relationship between sphenoid sinus morphology and area and volume by computed tomography

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of sphenoid sinus pneumatization types, Onodi cell (OC), internal carotid artery (ICA), optic nerve (ON) on sinus volume and area on computed tomography (CT) images.

METHODS

The CT images of 150 patients were evaluated. Sphenoid sinus pneumatization types, OC prevalence, protrusion and dehiscence of ICA and ON, the volume and area were evaluated.

RESULTS

The sinus volume and area were statistically higher in patients with bilateral protrusion of ICA and ON then patients without protrusion of ICA and ON. The mean volume and area of sinus were 9949.4 ± 351.0 mm3 and 4570.9 ± 1604.9 mm2, respectively. The volume and area of sphenoid sinus did not differ significantly between groups with and without OC. The postsellar b type sphenoid sinus had the highest volume, while conchal type has the least volume.

CONCLUSIONS

Bilateral protrusion and dehiscence of ICA and bilateral protrusion of ON caused a significant increase in the sphenoid sinus volume and area. The presence of ICA and ON, the pneumatization of the sinus is an anatomical structure that can affect the sinus volume and area. Before the operation, three-dimensional evaluation should be performed to determine whether these structures are bilateral/unilateral and it should be remembered that the sinus volume and area can change.

Volumetric evaluation of the sphenoid sinus among different races in the Southeast Asian (SEA) population: a computerized tomography study

Introduction: The fundament of forensic science lies in identifying a body. The morphological complexity of the paranasal sinus (PNS), which varies greatly amongst individual, possess a discriminatory value that potentially contributes to the radiological identification. The sphenoid bone represents the keystone of the skull and forms part of the cranial vault. It is intimately associated with vital neurovascular structures. The sphenoid sinus, located within the body of the sphenoid bone, has variable morphology. The sphenoid septum's inconsistent position and the degree, as well as the direction disparities of sinus pneumatization, have indeed accorded it a unique structure in providing invaluable information in forensic personnel identification. Additionally, the sphenoid sinus is situated deep within the sphenoid bone. Therefore, it is well protected from traumatic degradation from external causes and can be potentially utilized in forensic studies. The authors aim to study the possibility of variation among the race, and gender in the Southeast Asian (SEA) population, using volumetric measurements of the sphenoid sinus. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of computerized tomographic (CT) imaging of the PNS of 304 patients (167 males, 137 females) in a single centre. The volume of the sphenoid sinus was reconstructed and measured using commercial real-time segmentation software. Result: The total volume of sphenoid sinus of male gender had shown to be larger, 12.22 (4.93 - 21.09) cm³ compared to the counterpart of 10.19 (3.75 - 18.72) cm³ (p = .0090). The Chinese possessed a larger total sphenoid sinus volume, 12.96 (4.62 - 22.21) cm³) than the Malays, 10.68 (4.13 - 19.25) cm³ (p = .0057). No correlation was identified between the age and volume of the sinus (cc= -.026, p = .6559). Conclusion: The sphenoid sinus volume in males was found to be larger than those of females. It was also shown that race influences sinus volume. Volumetric analysis of the sphenoid sinus can potentially be utilized in gender and race determination. The current study provided normative data on the sphenoid sinus volume in the SEA region, which can be helpful for future studies.

Correlation Between Anatomic Variations of Sphenoid Sinuses and Pituitary Adenoma

BACKGROUND

Many persons have studied relationship between anatomic variations (AVs) of sphenoid sinuses (SS) and paranasal disease, but no research has been done to reveal the correlation between AVs of SS and sellar region lesions.

OBJECTIVE

To compare AVs of SS between sellar region lesions and healthy persons and analyze factors affecting the volume of SS and explore the correlation between AVs of SS and pituitary adenomas (PAs).

METHODS

Clinical data of 53 PAs as experiment group and 30 healthy persons as control team was reviewed. Computed tomography images of SS performed at Tianjin Huanhu Hospital were studied. The AVs of SS including degree of pneumatization, type of intersinus septum (IS), and volume of SS were evaluated by ITK-SNAP software.

RESULTS

Age, gender, degree of pneumatization, and type of IS had no significant difference between groups, while the volume of SS in experiment group was smaller than that in control group (P < 0.05). The volume of SS was associated with age, sex, degree of pneumatization, type of IS in control group, and degree of pneumatization, type of IS in experiment group. In experiment group, patients with postoperative pathological examination ki67 ≥ 3% had bigger volume and higher recurrent rate (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Visualizing different orientations and 3D model of SS is conducive to the success of trans-sphenoid surgery. Pituitary adenomas can deform the SS leading to smaller volume. The volume of SS can be a factor used to predict the outcome of PAs.