Anterior skull base variations and its implications using CT scan imaging for safer endoscopic surgeries

Abstract

IntroductionComputerized tomographic imaging of the nasal and paranasal regions has become an indispensable tool for the endoscopic sinonasal surgery. The uncinate process is an important bony structure located in the lateral wall of the nose.The olfactory fossa is a space, situated superior to the cribriform plate and has a variable depth. MethodsA descriptive, case-control study was carried out on 120 patients with a clinical diagnosis of chronic rhino sinusitis who were referred for a sinus CT scan by ENT specialists. ResultsRight side type I uncinate process of 90% was more prevalent in the males of the cases group and 86% is in the females of the control group. Prevalence of left side type II keros classification was seen in 66.7% and 63.3% of cases group and 73.3% and 83.3% of the control group for both the genders. DiscussionKnowledge about the superior insertion of uncinate process and height of the olfactory fossa provides understanding about the upper limit of surgical dissection and aids in road mapping the confident direction for the functional endoscopic surgeons.