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Prevalence, size, and shape of the accessory optic canal
Author(s) -
Lambert H. Wayne,
Cusick Abbey M,
Zdilla Matthew J.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.1038.4
Subject(s) - optic canal , medicine , anterior clinoid process , internal carotid artery , optic nerve , anatomy , ophthalmic artery , hourglass , surgery , radiology , history , blood flow , archaeology
Anterior clinoidectomy is a neurosurgical procedure that is utilized to expose the cavernous sinus and access the clinoid segment of the internal carotid artery for management of paraclinoid aneurysms and tumors. Removal of the optic strut is oftentimes performed as part of anterior clinoidectomy in order to facilitate access to the region. However, the optic strut occasionally transmits the ophthalmic artery (OphA ) through an accessory optic canal (AOC), which predisposes the OphA to damage during surgery. Moreover, the AOC may be elusive in advanced imaging, masquerading as pneumatization of the optic strut or anterior clinoid process. Therefore, investigation of the prevalence, size, and shape of the AOC in dry bone specimens is warranted. This study analyzed optic canals and accessory optic canals (AOC) from 111 dry cranial specimens; however, 31 sides were either damaged or, in the case of hemisected skulls, absent. Therefore, a total 191 intact sides (97 right‐sided and 94 left‐sided, respectively) were analyzed. The AOC was present in 5 of the 97 (5.2%) right sides and 3 of the 94 (3.2) left sides for a total prevalence of 8 in 191 sides (4.2%). In addition to prevalence of AOC, parameters analyzed included area, perimeter, circularity, roundness, and solidity, aspect ratio, length of the major and minor axes of a best fit ellipse. An inability to recognize the presence of an AOC may lead to damage to the OphA during anterior clinoidectomy and subsequent blindness. Therefore, the information presented in this report may aid in identification of the AOC and prevent serious adverse surgical events.