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Vidian Canal: Analysis and Relationship to the Internal Carotid Artery
Author(s) -
Vescan Allan D.,
Snyderman Carl H.,
Carrau Ricardo L.,
Mintz Arlan,
Gardner Paul,
Branstetter Barton,
Kassam Amin B.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1097/mlg.0b013e31806146cd
Subject(s) - skull , internal carotid artery , medicine , anatomy , sinus (botany) , coronal plane , sphenoid bone , foramen , cavernous sinus , radiology , biology , botany , genus
Objectives: The purpose of this study is to describe the anatomy and relationships of the vidian canal to known endonasal and skull base landmarks. This will allow the endoscopic skull base surgeon to safely approach the anterior genu of the petrous carotid artery during expanded endonasal approaches to the skull base. Study Design: The study is a prospective cohort study. Methods: Axial, coronal, and sagittal computed tomography scans of the paranasal sinuses and skull base of 44 patients were examined. Individuals with known skull base pathology were excluded. Measurements included the length of the vidian canal, the relationship of the vidian canal to the anterior genu of the petrous carotid artery, and the type of pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus as it pertains to foramen rotundum and the vidian canal. In addition, we will focus on the relationship of the vidian canal to the sphenopalatine foramen and base of the medial pterygoid plate. Results: The degree of pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus is highly variable. The mean length of the vidian canal is 18 mm (10–23 mm). The vidian canal is found entirely within bone in 27% to 30% of scans reviewed. The anterior genu of the petrous internal carotid artery is found superior‐medial to the vidian canal in 44 of 44 of the CT scans reviewed. The vidian canal runs medial to lateral in 93% to 98% of patients studied. Conclusions: As a result of this study the endoscopic skull base surgeon has a number of anatomical landmarks and measurements that may be helpful insafely localizing the anterior genu of the petrous internal carotid artery during expanded endonasal approaches to the skull base.