title: The ethmoidal arteries: a cadaveric study based on cone beam computed tomography and endoscopic dissection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the anatomical variability of the ethmoidal arteries (EAs). To evaluate the reliability of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in preoperative assessment of EAs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen cadaver heads underwent CBCT and endoscopic dissection. The following anatomical features were evaluated for anterior (AEA), middle (MEA), and posterior (PEA) EAs: presence, cranio-caudal position, antero-posterior position, and dehiscence of the bony canal. Accuracy of radiological assessment was calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AEA, MEA, and PEA were identified in 100, 28.6, and 100% of sides. They were caudal to the skull base in 60.7, 25, and 17.9%, respectively. CBCT showed a high accuracy in identifying these features. The antero-posterior position of EAs, which was highly variable, was correctly assessed by CBCT. A dehiscent bony canal of AEA, MEA, and PEA was found in 46.4, 12.5, and 28.6% of sides, respectively. Accuracy of CBCT in picking up this feature was poor but negative predictive value was high.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CBCT was adequate in identifying and localizing EAs. In addition, it can be used to exclude the presence of MEA and dehiscence of ethmoidal canals, whereas the accuracy in detecting these anatomic variants was low.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Largo Spedali Civili, 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy. 1990marcoferrari@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.affiliation: Unit of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Largo Spedali Civili, 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pianta
authors.affiliation: Unit of Radiology, Department of Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Borghesi
authors.affiliation: Unit of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Largo Spedali Civili, 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schreiber
authors.affiliation: Unit of Radiology, Department of Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ravanelli
authors.affiliation: Unit of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Largo Spedali Civili, 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mattavelli
authors.affiliation: Unit of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Largo Spedali Civili, 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rampinelli
authors.affiliation: Unit of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Belotti
authors.affiliation: Section of Anatomy and Physiopathology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi Fabrizio
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Rodella
authors.affiliation: Unit of Radiology, Department of Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maroldi
authors.affiliation: Unit of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Largo Spedali Civili, 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Piero
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nicolai
mesh_terms: D063405:Anatomic Variation; D001158:Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002102:Cadaver; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D004210:Dissection; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005005:Ethmoid Sinus / Q000098:blood supply*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
keywords: Arteries; Cone beam computed tomography; Endoscopy; Ethmoid sinus; Transnasal endoscopic surgery