Search

Aim Sella turcica bridging and ossified carotico-clinoid ligament are two variants of the sella turcica, the origin of which is partially unknown. These variations should be properly recognised, as they may hamper the removal of the anterior clinoid process in surgical procedures. Therefore, our aim was to determine the prevalence of these two anatomical variants and to investigate their prevalence according to patient sex and age in a series of maxilla computed tomography scans. Materials and methods We revised 300 computed tomography scans of the head from northern Italian patients, stratified into three age groups (18–40 years, 41–60 years, >60 years): a logistic regression analysis was used to explore an association of sella turcica bridging with age and sex through Matlab software, also including a test for the extracted model (P < 0.05). Results The mean prevalence of sella turcica bridging and ossified carotico-clinoid ligament were 0.16 ± 0.06 (48/300, 16.0%) and 0.09 ± 0.03 (26/300, 8.7%), respectively. Statistically significant differences according to sex were found neither for sella turcica bridging (P = 0.345) nor for ossified carotico-clinoid ligament (P = 0.412). Only sella turcica bridging showed a correlation with age (P = 0.007). In addition, the two variants were often associated, as patients without sella turcica bridging usually did not show ossified carotico-clinoid ligament (P < 0.001). Discussion Our results suggest an association between the two variants, and provide a novel contribution to the debate around their origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Surgical reconstruction of zygomatic bones in cases of traumatic injuries is a frequent event: assessment of symmetry is mandatory for a correct restoration of zygomatic shape, but the literature is discordant about its quantification. The purpose of this study is to show a novel method for assessing symmetry of zygomatic bone through mirroring of 3D models segmented on CT-scan. Materials and methods A total of 100 patients (50 male and 50 female), divided into two age groups (18–49 years and 50–92 years) were selected from the computed tomography (CT) scan database of a hospital in northern Italy. Zygomatic bones from each patient were segmented, and the left bone was automatically mirrored and registered on the right one according to the least point-to-point distance between the two surfaces. The mean and root mean square (RMS) distance between the two models was then calculated. Statistically significant differences according to sex and age groups were assessed through two-way analysis of variance (p < 0.05). In addition, the effect size of differences was calculated. Results The method proved to be repeatable, with inter- and intraoperator errors lower than 5%. Overall, mean and RMS point-to-point distances were respectively 0.01 mm and 0.84 mm, without statistically significant differences according to sex or age (p > 0.05), and with negligible effect size. Conclusion This study provides an innovative method for assessing the symmetry of the zygomatic bone based on surface analysis. Results may provide useful indications for the reconstruction of zygomatic bones in maxillofacial surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The intrapetrous carotid artery (IPCA) is one of the most unexplored anatomic regions, and its 3-dimensional reconstruction in living subjects is still missing. This study aims to describe the IPCA on 3D models extracted from head computed tomography (CT) scans. Methods The intrapetrous carotid artery was manually segmented on head CT scans of 100 healthy patients free from vascular and neurologic pathologies (50 men and 50 women; age range, 18–91 years). Angles of the posterior and anterior genu, diameter and length of the horizontal portion, and volume of the entire canal were calculated through 3D analysis software. Statistically significant differences according to sex and side were assessed through 2-way analysis of variance (P < 0.05). Correlation of each measurement with age was calculated as well. Results On average, the angles of the posterior and anterior genu were 120.1° ± 10.4° and 118.0° ± 10.0° in men and 119.5° ± 9.2° and 117.6° ± 10.3° in women, respectively, without statistically significant differences according to sex or side (P > 0.05). The average length and diameter of the horizontal part were, respectively, 25.5 ± 2.9 and 5.8 ± 0.8 mm in men and 24.0 ± 2.3 and 5.3 ± 0.8 mm in women. The volume of the IPCA was 0.941 ± 0.215 cm3 in men and 0.752 ± 0.159 cm3 in women. The length and diameter of the horizontal portion and the volume of the IPCA showed statistically significant differences according to sex (P < 0.05). No correlation with age was found. Conclusions This study provides data concerning not only linear and angular measurements, but also volumes of the IPCA, which are useful in planning surgical interventions of the cranial base. Highlights • This study describes the IPCA on 3D models extracted from 100 CT scans. • The volume of the IPCA was 0.941 ± 0.215 cm3 in men and 0.752 ± 0.159 cm3 in women. • Length and diameter of the horizontal portion and volume were sexually dimorphic. • This study provides data concerning distances, angles, and volumes of the IPCA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]