The Sphenoidal Sinus

Anatomical variations of the sphenoid sinus - a study of 200 cases -

“…The incidence of the sellar type of pneumatisation in literature is found in 53-89% of cases, the presellar type in 10-38% and the conchal type in 0-9%, in our study the sellar type was as well, most frequently found, in 69% of the cases, above the percentage found in the studies of Hamid et al [7] (55%) and Araújo Filho et al [8] (53%), but much lower than in the studies of Kinnman [5] (87%) and [3] (86%). The conchal type was found in only 3% of the cases, this type of pneumatisation has an increased surgical risk in transsphenoidal surgery because of the amount of bone that needs to be drilled, even when guided by neuronavigation, some authors considering this type of pneumatisation a counter indication for transsphenoidal approach to the pituitary gland.…”

“…We have found that the intersinusal septum divides the sphenoid body in two almost equal cavities in 38% of the cases, having secondary septa in 47% of the cases, compared to [3], who finds the intersinusal septum forms two equal cavities in 27% of cases, having a vertical direction in 25% of cases, [5] finds the septum on the midline in 42% of cases with secondary septa in 19% of cases, meanwhile Zada et al [9] finds a single septum situated on the midline in 18.5% of cases and a complex endosinus anatomy with multiple secondary septa in 29% of the cases, Kazkayasi et al [10] in 19.5%, [8] in 23.8 %.…”

“…2. the types of pneumatisation according with the types described by Hammer and Radberg [3], as well as the extensions of pneumatisation towards the anterior clinoid processes (ACP), pterygoid processes and sphenoidal wings;…”

“…There are considerable variations regarding the anatomy of the sphenoid sinus as noted by many authors in their cadaver and computed tomography studies [2][3][4][5][6], some authors finding variations among different races as well [7].…”

Navigational Risks Associated With Sinus Surgery and the Clinical Effects of Implementing a Navigational System for Sinus Surgery

“…By the 1960s, renewed interest in trans‐sphenoidal pituitary surgery had led to the collaboration of rhinologists and neurosurgeons in taking care of these patients. In 1964, Hammer and Radberg 79 published anatomic and roentgenologic studies of the sphenoid sinus with special attention to the sella turcica. In 1978, Lee 80 presented his experience with the sublabial transseptal approach to the hypophysis in 30 cases, and in 1979, Kern et al 81 published the Mayo Clinic results using this technique in 505 cases.…”