Sphenoid sinus disease in geriatric patients: an analytical approach

Abstract

The article presents an analytical approach based on intelligent statistical processing of different medical data to the diagnosis and treatment of sphenoid sinus diseases in elderly patients. With the increasing average lifespan and the widespread use of CT and MRI, the detectability of sphenoid sinus diseases is expected to increase, including among the elderly population. A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who received treatment for sphenoid sinus diseases at the Otorhinolaryngology Clinic of the I.P. Pavlov St. Petersburg State Medical University. The study analyzed more than 50 patients with sphenoid sinus pathology, with 9.8% classified as elderly individuals aged 60 years or older. The most common symptom in elderly patients was headache, and surgical treatment was required in 80% of cases half due to the ineffectiveness of conservative therapy and another 40% due to the presence of formations in the sinus (mycetomas). The postoperative period continued without complications and the mean hospital stay was 7 days. Successful treatment of sphenoiditis in the elderly requires a comprehensive diagnosis and an individualized treatment plan. Endoscopic endonasal surgery of the sphenoid sinus can be safely performed in elderly patients with low anesthetic risks and a specialized surgical team. However, our research has limitations, including a small sample size of elderly patients with sphenoid sinus pathology. Future studies could explore factors such as comorbidities, hormonal changes, age-related influences, or lifestyle differences. Such an integrated approach will allow us to delve deeper into the intricacies of sphenoid sinus pathology in elderly patients.