Three-Dimensional Image Evaluation of the Relationship Between the Diagonal Dimensions of the Sella and Sphenoid Sinuses.

OBJECTIVE

The sphenoid sinus is a key anatomic structure in transsphenoidal procedures due to its central location and proximity to vital structures. A comprehensive understanding of the dimensional relationship between the sphenoid sinus and sella is essential for advancing transsphenoidal surgery and enhancing its safety. Therefore, this study aims to quantitatively analyse the relationship between the volume and linear dimensions of these structures using specialized radiologic software on adult CT images.

METHODS

A total of 220 paranasal sinus computed tomography scans were evaluated. Sphenoid sinus and sella height, transverse diameter, anterior-posterior diameter, and volume were measured with a radiologic analysis programme that utilizes 3-dimensional advanced reconstruction techniques. The dimensional relationship between the obtained data was statistically analysed.

RESULTS

It was found that the height of the sphenoid sinus and sella have the strongest correlation with their volumes (r=0.899 and 0.818, respectively). Furthermore, the transverse and anterior-posterior diameters of the sphenoid sinus and sella were found to be correlated with their volumes. The strongest correlation between the sphenoid sinus and sella was found for the transverse diameter, which showed a moderate correlation (r=0.485).

CONCLUSION

By using advanced radiologic reconstruction methods, more effective measurements can be obtained regarding the anatomic details of the sella and sphenoid sinus. With the developing software and imaging techniques, 3-dimensional morphologic evaluation can be performed. Thus, more comprehensive analyses can be made regarding the anatomic relationship between the sphenoid sinus and sella, which is important in transsphenoidal surgery.