Digital volume tomography (DVT) as a diagnostic modality of the anterior skull base

Abstract

Conclusion. Because of high resolution and the relatively lower costs in comparison with modern helical CT scanners, digital volume tomography (DVT) can be recommended in the diagnosis of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Objectives. DVT is an advancement of panoramic tomography and is based on the principles of rotational tomography. It enables high resolution visualization of osseous structures. The slices can be displayed in three orthogonal planes that can be changed in angle arbitrarily. Data volumes of up to 12×17 cm can be examined with a new generation of the DVT. The aim of this study was to point out the potential of DVT in the anterior skull base. Subjects and methods. DVT scans with a cylindrical size of 10 cm in diameter and 10 cm in height were performed in 23 patients. The identification of surgical key landmarks (uncinate process, middle turbinate, ethmoidal bulla, agger nasi cells, Haller cells, frontal recess, anterior ethmoidal artery in its relationship to the skull base, the cribiform plate of the sphenoidal sinus in relation to the optic nerve, and the internal carotid artery) was evaluated. Results. Display of the essential surgical key landmarks was possible in all patients