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Evaluation of the ethmoid skull‐base height prior to endoscopic sinus surgery: a preoperative computed tomography evaluation technique
Author(s) -
Rudmik Luke,
Smith Timothy L.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
international forum of allergy and rhinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.503
H-Index - 46
eISSN - 2042-6984
pISSN - 2042-6976
DOI - 10.1002/alr.21006
Subject(s) - medicine , skull , coronal plane , sinus (botany) , endoscopic sinus surgery , computed tomography , ethmoid bone , ethmoid sinus , radiology , functional endoscopic sinus surgery , frontal sinus , tomography , surgery , nuclear medicine , paranasal sinuses , sinusitis , nasal cavity , botany , biology , genus
Iatrogenic ethmoid skull base (ESB) injury during endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is a potentially devastating complication. The height of the ESB can vary substantially and should be assessed during preoperative evaluation of the sinus computed tomography (CT) scan. Methods: The objective of this study is to describe an objective preoperative CT evaluation technique to assist the surgeon in defining the height of the ESB prior to performing ESS. Results: We propose a technique which measures the height of the ESB from a single horizontal mid‐orbital line located on a standardized coronal sinus CT image at the level of the anterior ethmoid artery canal. Conclusions: Utilization of an objective preoperative CT measurement technique may quantify identification of a low ESB and optimize surgical awareness of this potentially dangerous anatomic skull base variation. © 2012 ARS‐AAOA, LLC.