ABSTRACT
The objective of this study is to determine the incidence and degree of anterior clinoid process pneumatization, in addition highlighting to their clinical significance. Multidetector-row CT scans of the skull base were reviewed in 648 subjects between 2007 and 2008. The presence of pneumatized anterior clinoid process and its degree were studied and documented. These data were statistically analyzed. Pneumatization of the ACP was found in 62 of 648 patients (9.6%) including 32 (51.6%) men and 30 (48.4%) women. The age of these patients ranged from 21 to 82 years (mean, 41 +/- 15.7 years). Pneumatization of the ACP occurred only on the left side in 14 cases (22.6%), only on the right side in 11 cases (17.7%), and bilaterally in 37 patients (59.7%). ACP pneumatization Type I, in which less than 50% of the ACP is pneumatized, was found in 47 of 124 sides (38%), Type II, in which more than 50% but not totally pneumatized ACP, was found in 28 of 124 sides (22.6%), and Type III, in which the ACP is totally pneumatized, was found in 22 of 124 sides (17.7%). The incidence of Type I in the general population was 6.6%, Type II was 3.5%, and Type III was 2.5%. Radiologically recognizing the degree of ACP pneumatization is important in decreasing the incidence of surgical complications during anterior clinoidectomy. Proper intraoperative management can be undertaken with special attention to the new classification.
Subject(s)
Intraoperative Complications/classification , Neurosurgical Procedures/classification , Pneumocephalus/classification , Pneumocephalus/diagnostic imaging , Skull Base/diagnostic imaging , Skull Base/surgery , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cadaver , Carotid Artery, Internal/diagnostic imaging , Carotid Artery, Internal/surgery , Female , Humans , Intraoperative Complications/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Pneumocephalus/epidemiology , Sphenoid Bone/surgery , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Young AdultABSTRACT
Among 1142 patients with head injuries hospitalized in the Neurosurgery Department of Gazi University Medical School during the period between 1979 and 1992, 583 had initial CT scans. A retrospective analysis of these initial CT images revealed intracranial air on admission in only 21 cases. These were classified as acute traumatic intracranial pneumocephalus: a potentially serious complication of head injury. CT scans were re-evaluated so as to reveal whether air was situated in the epidural, subdural, or subarachnoid spaces or intracerebrally; whether associated space-occupying lesions were present and whether the air bubbles were single or multiple. Clinical data such as the presence of persistent rhinorrhea and/or otorrhea, tension pneumocephalus, severity and type of trauma, and outcome were were also assessed to determine the significance of this rare finding.
Subject(s)
Brain Injuries/physiopathology , Pneumocephalus/physiopathology , Adolescent , Adult , Brain Injuries/diagnostic imaging , Child , Child, Preschool , Craniocerebral Trauma/complications , Craniocerebral Trauma/diagnostic imaging , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Pneumocephalus/classification , Pneumocephalus/diagnostic imaging , Survival Analysis , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
The classification of anterior fossa fractures with their sequelae: cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea, pneumocephalus, or meningitis is presented. This classification is based on five selection criteria which are discussed in this paper. This classification resulted in the table of indications for operative treatment, according to which the appropriate time for operation in urgent cases is immediately, in cases with absolute indication 5 to 6 days after the injury, in long-lasting CSF rhinorrhea or pneumocephalus 10 days after the onset, in intermittent or delayed rhinorrhea and/or pneumocephalus as soon as these signs occur, and in cases of meningitis soon after recovery. This study is based on the analysis of 52 consecutive surgically treated cases, collected from 1984 up to December 1989.
