CT evaluation of pterygoid process pneumatization and the anatomic variations of related neural structures

Abstract

ObjectiveThis topic is concerned with the clarification of the radiological findings that should be reported as regard the anatomic variations of the neural structures related to the pterygoid process in patients listed for endoscopic sinus surgery. Materials and methodsThis retrospective study included 164 patients who underwent multislice CT scan on paranasal sinuses in the Diagnostic Radiology Department in the period from February 2017 to December 2017. The pattern of pterygoid process pneumatization was evaluated. The anatomic variations of related neural structures were recorded. ResultsThe study included 164 patients with 328 pterygoid processes. The process was unpneumatized in 38.4% and pneumatized in 61.6%. Vidian canal type 1 was found in 7.3%, type 2 in 61.6% and type 3 in 31.1%. The incidence of foramen rotundum protrusion was higher with pneumatized processes, yet no statistically significant association was found. ConclusionThe neural structures related to the pterygoid process are the seat of many anatomic variations that need to be identified by preoperative CT.