Crista galli pnevmatization: prevalence and clinical significance

Abstract

Determine the frequency of crista galli (crest of the rooster) pneumatization and the presence of communication of the pneumatized crista galli with the paranasal sinuses. Computed tomography data of the paranasal sinuses of 251 patients. The patients' age ranged from 23 to 70 years. Variations in crista galli were classified according to the degree of pneumatization. The pneumatic type of crista galli structure was observed in 14.7% of cases. The most commonly crista galli pneumatized had a connection with the frontal sinus. In some cases, in the presence of sinusitis, the crista galli cavity was involved in the inflammatory process. The article presents a case of inflammation of pneumatized crista galli, in which a patient complained of a stubborn headache in the frontal sinus. Attention is drawn to the importance of diagnosing this pathology using objective imaging methods. Videoendoscopy and computed tomography revealed crista galli pneumatization with thickening of the mucous membrane and the presence of fluid. As a result, the optimal surgical approach was chosen - transseptal dissection with removal of one of the walls of pneumatized crista galli.