Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 17, 2025
Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
Cone Beam Computed Tomography Analysis of Sphenoid Sinus Pneumatization and Relationship with Neurovascular
Najmeh Movahhedian1, Maryam Paknahad2, Fatemeh Abbasinia3
1Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Department, Dental School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Background:
The sphenoid sinus is considered as the most variable pneumatized structure of the skull.
Purpose:
The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of the Onodi cell as well as to evaluate the relationship between the sphenoid sinus type of pneumatization and the presence of surrounding neurovascular protrusion using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).
Methods:
The CBCT images of 500 patients/996 sides [203 males (40.6%) and 297 females (59.4%)] were analyzed in this study. The type of sphenoid sinus pneumatization, prevalence of internal carotid artery (ICA) and optic nerve (ON) protrusion and dehiscence, and also the frequency of Onodi cell were assessed.
Results:
The percentages of the conchal, presellar, sellar, postsellar (a), and postsellar (b) types of pneumatization were 1%, 11.5%, 35.5%, 38.9%, and 13.1%, respectively. The more the sphenoid sinuses pneumatized, the greater the frequency of ON and ICA protrusion and dehiscence of their wall to the sinus. The prevalence of Onodi cell was 38.8%. A significant correlation was found between ON dehiscence and the presence of Onodi cells.
Conclusion:
The present study demonstrated a significant relationship between the sinus type and frequency of neurovascular protrusions. Therefore, the sphenoid sinus extent of pneumatization might be useful in predicting the risk of iatrogenic damage to the surrounding structures.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:27Cranial Bones: Lateral View
The temporal bone forms the lower lateral side of the skull. The temporal bone is subdivided into several regions. The flattened upper portion is the squamous portion of the temporal bone. Below this area and projecting anteriorly is the zygomatic process of the temporal bone, which forms the posterior portion of the zygomatic arch. Posteriorly is the mastoid portion of the temporal bone. Projecting...
01:10Computed Tomography
The technique was invented in the 1970s and is based on the principle that as X-rays pass through the body, they are absorbed or reflected at different levels. In the technique, a patient lies on a motorized platform while a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scanner rotates...
01:27Imaging Studies III: Computed Tomography
01:14Cranial Bones: Superior and Posterior View
The frontal bone is the single bone that forms the forehead. At its anterior midline, between the eyebrows, there is a slight depression called the glabella. The frontal bone also forms the supraorbital margin of the orbit. Near the middle of this margin is the supraorbital foramen, the opening that provides passage for a sensory nerve to the forehead. The frontal bone is thickened just above each supraorbital margin,...