title: Virtual reality surgical anatomy of the sphenoid sinus and adjacent structures by the transnasal approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the three-dimensional virtual anatomical features of the sphenoid sinus and adjacent structures during virtual surgery and explore their relevance to actual transsphenoidal surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  CT images of the sphenoid sinus and surrounding structures from 28 Chinese adult patients were measured using a 16-slice helical CT scanner. Image analysis was performed using the volume-rendering method. Two experienced neurosurgeons wearing stereoscopic glasses performed virtual transsphenoidal surgery by the transnasal approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The virtual anatomical features of the sphenoid sinus and the adjacent structures during virtual surgery were described. The distance from the sphenopalatine foramen to the left and right sphenoid ostium was 10.1 ± 2.7 mm and 10.5 ± 3.2 mm, respectively, to the left and right sphenoidal crest 12.9 ± 2.0 mm and 12.8 ± 2.2 mm, respectively, and to the left and right uncinate process 24.0 ± 1.9 mm and 23.9 ± 2.0 mm, respectively. The distance from the uncinate process to the medial and lateral edge of the most prominent part of the anterior bend of the cavernous internal carotid artery (ICA) was 33.7 ± 3.7 mm and 34.8 ± 3.7 mm, respectively, and the angle between the two lines was 9.7 ± 1.9°.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study provides virtual anatomical information about the sphenoid sinus and important surrounding structures that is essential for successful real life transsphenoidal surgery.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Fuzhou General Hospital, 156 Xihuanbei Road, Fuzhou 350025, China. wshsen@126.com
authors: Shou-Sen
authors: SS
authors: Wang
authors: Liang
authors: L
authors: Xue
authors: Jun-Jie
authors: JJ
authors: Jing
authors: Ru-Mi
authors: RM
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D059925:Anatomic Landmarks / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D004210:Dissection; D005004:Ethmoid Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005624:Frontal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D010159:Palate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D056739:Pterygopalatine Fossa / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D012658:Sella Turcica / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D013100:Sphenoid Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D013101:Sphenoid Sinus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000379:methods; D014420:Turbinates / Q000601:surgery; D014584:User-Computer Interface