Introduction: The sphenoid sinus may interact closely with the optic nerve (ON) and internal carotid artery (ICA), two nearby essential structures. CBCT is a good choice for evaluating anatomic structures in the maxillofacial region including anatomical variation of the sphenoid sinus.
Aim of the study: This study was aimed to assess the anatomical variations of the sphenoid sinus and relationship with the surrounding neurovascular structures using CBCT and correlating the findings with the potential influencing forensic factors.
Materials and methods: CBCT images were conducted on 51 scans selected randomly from the database . Assessment was performed by two oral and maxillofacial radiologists of more than 10 years of experience in a darkened room. The sphenoid sinus pneumatization types and the relation with OP and ICA were assessed in each patient. Furthermore, potential influencing factors such as age, gender were analyzed.
Results : There were no scans for patients with conchal type,9.8% were presellar type, 21.6% were sellar type,68.6% were a postsellar type of pneumatization.34.3% had no pneumatization around ICA, In 30.4%the ICA is adjacent to the SS 29.4% had less than 50% exposure in the SS. 5.9% had more than 50% exposure in the SS. Regarding to ON ,72.5%were smoothly touching to the SS, 9.9% the ON was smoothly irrelevant to the SS,17.6 % had less than 50% protrusion in the SS.
Conclusion: The sphenoid sinus is highly variable; this variability necessitates a comprehensive understanding by a detailed CBCT scan sinus examination before surgery in and around the sinus.