title: Is There a Relationship Between Optic Canal, Foramen Rotundum, and Vidian Canal?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this retrospective study, we investigated the relationship between paranasal sinus, optic canal, foramen rotundum, and vidian canal measurements.
  
  
  METHODS
  Computed tomographic (CT) images of 320 adult subjects and 640 sides (right and left) were used. Paranasal sinus dimensions, optic canal (OC), foramen rotundum (FR), vidian canal (VC), bilateral FR (FRFR), bilateral vidian canal (VCVC), VC-foramen rotundum (VCFR), and VC-optic canal (VCOC) distances were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Right VCFR (6.06 mm), and right and left VCOC values (20.34 and 20.31 mm) of the males were significantly higher than those of the females (5.50, 18.91, and 18.80 mm, respectively). Foramen rotundum, OC, and VC values were positively correlated with each other. There was also positive correlation between FR width and maxillary sinus height. Increase of OC width was related to increase in FR width and area, VCVC distance; and decrease in maxillary sinus width. There was positive correlation between FRFR, VCVC, VCFR, and VCOC distance values. There was negative correlation between VC width and area; VCVC, VCFR, and VCOC distance; and maxillary sinus, ethmoid sinus, and sphenoid sinus measurement values. As these sinuses pneumatized more, VC width and area values decreased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As a conclusion, the paranasal sinus, OC, VC, and FR values showed relationship with each other. Before performing craniofacial and/or skull base surgeries, CT view should be taken to evaluate the localization and the course and dimensions of the OC and vidian nerve. It should be kept in mind that in the presence of more pneumatized paranasal sinuses in CT views, VC dimensions decreased.
authors.affiliation: *Faculty of Medicine, Radiology Department †Faculty of Medicine, ENT Department, Kirikkale University, Kirikkale, Turkey ‡ENT Department, Adana Numune Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey §Radiology Department, Sivas State Hospital, Sivas, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mikail
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Inal
authors.forename: Nuray Bayar
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Muluk
authors.forename: Osman Kürşat
authors.initials: OK
authors.lastname: Arikan
authors.forename: Safa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Şahin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005005:Ethmoid Sinus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013100:Sphenoid Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013101:Sphenoid Sinus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult