Author(s)

Djivèdé Akanni^1,2*, Canicius Ovidio de Souza^3,4, Kofi-Mensa Savi de Tovè^1,2, Kouassi Paul N’zi^5,6, Patricia Yèkpè^3,4, Olivier Biaou^3,4, Vicentia Boco^3,4

¹Faculty of Medicine, University of Parakou, Parakou, Benin.
²Department of Radiology, University Teaching Hospital of Borgou Department, Parakou, Benin.
³Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Abomey Calavi, Cotonou, Benin.
⁴Department of Radiology, National and University Teaching Hospital Hubert Koutoukou Maga, Cotonou, Benin.
⁵Faculty of Medicine, University Félix Houphouet-Boigny, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
⁶Institut of Cardiology, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

Goal: The aim of this work is to study the relationship between the pneumatization of the adjacent structures of sphenoid sinuses and the protrusion of the neurovascular structures in the sinuses. Methods: A review of 225 CT scans skull was done for subjects aged at least 16 years old from November 1st to December 31st 2017. The pneumatization of adjacent structures of sphenoid sinuses and its relation with the protrusion of neurovascular structures surround the sinuses have been investigated. We used Fischer Exact test for comparison. The p value < 0.05 was expressed as significant. Results: Statistically significant associations were found between anterior clinoid process bilateral pneumatization and bilateral protrusion of carotid canal (p < 0.05) and of optic canal (p < 0.001). There were also, statistically significant correlations between bilateral pterygoid process pneumatization and bilateral protrusion of carotid canal and of optic canal (p < 0.001); and between pterygoid process bilateral pneumatization and bilateral protrusion of maxillary and vidian nerves (p < 0.001). An association was also found between bilateral pneumatization of great wings and bilateral protrusion of maxillary nerves (p < 0.001) and of vidian nerves (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Compared to the literature, the prevalence of pneumatization of the adjacent structures of sphenoid sinuses was lower on Beninese than Caucasian and Asian. But there were the same correlations with the protrusion of neurovascular structures. In case of endonasal surgery of the sphenoid sinuses, surgeon should be aware of the high possibility the injury of optic nerves and internal carotid artery.

Sphenoid, Pneumatization, Neurovascular Structures, Association, Benin

Akanni, D. , de Souza, C. , de Tovè, K. , N’zi, K. , Yèkpè, P. , Biaou, O. and Boco, V. (2018) Sphenoid Sinuses Pneumatization and Association with the Protrusion of Surrounding Neurovascular Structures amongst Beninese. Open Journal of Radiology, 8, 209-216. doi: 10.4236/ojrad.2018.84024.