Assessment of dimensions of pneumatisation of the anterior clinoid process in middle Anatolian population by computed tomography
Abstract
Background: The anterior clinoid process (ACP) is usually removed during surgical procedures of the cellar region. The ACP may be different length and width in people; it may be also pneumatic. Therefore, we aimed to determine dimensions and rates of pneumatisation of the ACP in the large study group with clinically
importance.
Materials and methods: One thousand and thirty-one (592 female, 439 male) cranial computed tomography (CT) of the middle Anatolian population was used in this study. The length and basal width of the ACP were measured on the cranial CT. Also; incidence and degree of ACP pneumatisation were identified.
Results: The width of the right and left ACPs in females were 10.80 ± 2.27 mm and 10.53 ± 2.07 mm, respectively. The width of the right and left ACPs in males were 11.08 ± 2.39 mm and 10.98 ± 2.35 mm, respectively. The length of the right and left ACPs in females were 8.32 ± 2.40 mm and 8.34 ± 2.35 mm, respectively. The length of the right and left ACPs in males were 8.87 ± 2.62 mm and 8.93 ± 2.64 mm, respectively. There was statistically significant difference between males and females in ACP dimensions, except for the width of the right ACP. Pneumatisation of the ACP was observed on the right side in 46 (9.3%) cases,
on the left side in 53 (10.6%) cases, and bilaterally in 32 (6.5%) cases. Incidence of pneumatisation of the ACP was decreased in the age group of 1 month to 20 years. While the incidence of bilateral pneumatisation of the ACP was higher in individuals aged 21–40.
Conclusions: Radiologically recognising pneumatisation and anatomical variations of the ACP may be helpful in decreasing the incidence of surgical complications during anterior clinoidectomy.
Keywords: anterior clinoid processpneumatisationcomputed tomography
References
- Abuzayed B, Tanriover N, Biceroglu H, et al. Pneumatization degree of the anterior clinoid process: a new classification. Neurosurg Rev. 2010; 33(3): 367–73; discussion 374.
- Andaluz N, Beretta F, Bernucci C, et al. Evidence for the improved exposure of the ophthalmic segment of the internal carotid artery after anterior clinoidectomy: morphometric analysis. Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2006; 148(9): 971–5; discussion 975.
- Arslan H, Aydinlioğlu A, Bozkurt M, et al. Anatomic variations of the paranasal sinuses: CT examination for endoscopic sinus surgery. Auris Nasus Larynx. 1999; 26(1): 39–48.
- Bolger WE, Butzin CA, Parsons DS. Paranasal sinus bony anatomic variations and mucosal abnormalities: CT analysis for endoscopic sinus surgery. Laryngoscope. 1991; 101(1 Pt 1): 56–64.
- Bozkurt MC, Tağıl SM. Processus clinoideus anterior ve optik strut’un morfometrisi. Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası. 2000; 53(4): 227–230.
- Inoue T, Rhoton AL, Theele D, et al. Surgical approaches to the cavernous sinus: a microsurgical study. Neurosurgery. 1990; 26(6): 903–932.
- Lee HW, Park HS, Yoo KS, et al. Measurement of critical structures around paraclinoidal area: a cadaveric morphometric study. J Korean Neurosurg Soc. 2013; 54(1): 14–18.
- Lee HY, Chung IH, Choi BY, et al. Anterior clinoid process and optic strut in Koreans. Yonsei Med J. 1997; 38(3): 151–154.
- Mikami T, Minamida Y, Koyanagi I, et al. Anatomical variations in pneumatization of the anterior clinoid process. J Neurosurg. 2007; 106(1): 170–174.
- Moore KL, Dalley AF. Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 4th Edition. Lippincott Williams &Wilkins, Philadelphia, New York. 1999: 280–289.
- Sapçi T, Derin E, Almaç S, et al. The relationship between the sphenoid and the posterior ethmoid sinuses and the optic nerves in Turkish patients. Rhinology. 2004; 42(1): 30–34.
- Sirikci A, Bayazit YA, Bayram M, et al. Variations of sphenoid and related structures. Eur Radiol. 2000; 10(5): 844–848.
- Williams PL, Bannister LM, Berry MM. Gray’s anatomy 39th ed. Churchill Livingstone, London. 2005; 467.
