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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
[Applied anatomy study on the lateral wall of sphenoid sinus under transnasal endoscope]
Jian Zou1, Shixi Liu, Qinxiu Zhang
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
Objective:
To provide transsphenoidal endoscopic surgery with the anatomic reference through anatomic study on the lateral wall of sphenoid sinus under transnasal endoscope.
Method:
The dissection of the lateral wall of sphenoid sinus were performed on 10(20 sides) damp cadaveric heads of Chinese adults via transsphenoidal approach. The anatomic relationship of the lateral wall of sphenoid sinus and its adjacent structures were observed. The distance and angle from the bony prominence of optic canal and internal carotid artery to the columella nasi and midline of sellar floor were measured by ruler and protractor respectively.
Result:
From the study of endoscopic anatomy, the specific structure of optic canal and internal carotid artery were found, and the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus could be exposed by tracing the internal carotid artery. The mean distance from the midpoint of the medial wall of optic canal orbital aperture and the anterior bony prominence of internal carotid artery to the columella nasi were (75. 33 +/- 5. 59)mm and (81. 02 +/- 5. 29) mm respectively, to the midline of sellar floor were (5. 81+/- 1. 52)mm and (5. 53 +/- l. 47)mm respectively. The angle from the midpoint of the medial wall of optic canal orbital aperture to columella nasi was (53.4 +/- 4. 1) degrees.
Conclusion:
Taken the columella nasi and midline of sellar floor as the reference points, the anatomic observation and measurement under endoscope via transsphenoidal approach can provide a guide for surgeons.
