Anterior ethmoidal artery evaluation on coronal CT scans.
The anterior ethmoidal artery (AEA) is an important point for frontal and ethmoid sinuses surgery. CT scans can identify landmarks to help the surgeon find the AEA.


OBJECTIVE
To identify the landmarks of the AEA on the orbital medial wall and on the lateral wall of the olfactory fossa. and to correlate the presence of supraorbital ethmoidal cells with spotting the anterior ethmoidal artery canal.


METHODS
Retrospective review of 198 direct coronal paranasal sinuses computed tomography (CT) scans from August to December, 2006.


RESULTS
Supraorbital pneumatization was seen in 35% (70 scans). The AEA canal was seen in 41% (81 scans). The anterior ethmoidal sulcus was seen in 98% (194 scans) and the anterior ethmoidal foramen was seen in all the scans (100%).


CONCLUSIONS
The anterior ethmoidal foramen and the anterior ethmoidal sulcus were anatomical landmarks present in almost 100% of the scans studied. There was a correlation between the presence of supraorbital pneumatization and AEA canal visualization.
Souza
Soraia Ale
SA
UNIFESP.
Souza
Marcia Maria Ale de
MM
Gregório
Luís Carlos
LC
Ajzen
Sergio
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001158:Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002648:Child; D005004:Ethmoid Bone / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009880:Ophthalmic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009915:Orbit / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult