title: High-resolution computed tomography analysis of the greater palatine canal.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The greater palatine foramen injection is effective for minimizing bleeding during sinus surgery. The correct depth is important to minimize risk of orbital penetration. This study analyzed the length of the greater palatine canal using high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  HRCT sinus scans from 100 adults were analyzed. One thousand two hundred measurements were performed by three observers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean distance of the greater palatine foramen to the orbital floor was 40+/-3 mm in men and 37+/-3 mm in women (range, 32-46 mm). The mean distance of the greater palatine foramen to the sphenopalatine foramen was 28+/-2 mm in men and 27+/-2 mm in women (range, 23-33 mm).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The greater palatine foramen injection is an appropriate method to minimize bleeding during endoscopic sinus surgery. The authors recommend an injection depth of 25 mm in adults to minimize the risk of intraorbital complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7070, USA.
authors.forename: Subinoy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: Doil
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Trinitia Y
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Cannon
authors.forename: Charles S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Ebert
authors.forename: Brent A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Senior
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D021362:Palate, Hard / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010254:Paranasal Sinus Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011300:Preoperative Care; D013100:Sphenoid Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*