Sphenoid sinus symmetry and differences between sexes.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the anatomic variations of neurovascular structures adjacent to the sphenoid sinus and their agreement between right and left sides as well as differences between sexes.


METHODS
Forty-five cadavers were dissected (24 men, and differences between sexes and agreement of anatomic variations of the sphenoid sinus between sides were analyzed.


RESULTS
The mean distance from the sphenoid sinus ostium to the anterior nasal spine was greater in males than in females by an average of 3.0 mm (p = 0.001) while the mean difference of distances between the right and left side was -1.1 +/- 3.1 mm. Female cadavers had a greater frequency of optic-carotid recess (p = 0.04) and dehiscence over the maxillary nerve (p = 0.02), as well as greater relative risk of optic nerve protrusion (p < 0.001), and dehiscence over the internal carotid artery (ICA) (p = 0.002). In male cadavers the intersinus septum was inserted on the course of the ICA 3.5 times more often than in female (p = 0.02). Agreement of anatomic variations between sides ranged from moderate to almost perfect depending on the structures evaluated.


CONCLUSIONS
There are anatomic differences of the sphenoid sinus between sexes and between right and left sides, and these differences should be taken into consideration during surgery.
Department of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. bcaf@terra.com.br
Bernardo Cunha Araújo
BC
Filho
Carlos Diógenes
CD
Pinheiro-Neto
Carlos Diógenes Pinheiro
CD
Neto
Raimar
R
Weber
Richard Louis
RL
Voegels
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D013101:Sphenoid Sinus / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply / Q000294:innervation; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric