Background The aims of this study were to propose a novel and unified classification system of the optico-carotid recess (OCR) and anterior clinoid process (ACP) pneumatization, determine their frequency in a Caucasian population and measure the size of the OCR.
Material and Methods A total of 200 specimen (400 sphenoid sinuses) were evaluated in a separate anatomic cadaveric study (n=100) and radiographic study (n=100) by using sphenoidal sinus cast and computed tomography (CT) scan. OCR was divided according to its location to the optic nerve into sub-optical and latero-optical OCR grade I-III.
Results Both, sub-optical and latero-optical OCR were identified in 58 of 400 sides, with a mean length and depth of 6.9 mm; 7.7 mm and 2.3 mm, 7.1 mm. We determined the ACP frequency with 29 % and defined 3 unified different types of pneumatization.
Conclusion The OCR is a reliable landmark in endoscopic sphenoid sinus surgery, and can even be visualized by CT. Hence, preoperative investigation of the sphenoid region is mandatory. In our opinion, the classification presented in this study can be useful in order to avoid surgical complications.
Poster-PDF
A-1347.PDF
