Assessment of dimensions of pneumatisation of the anterior clinoid process in middle Anatolian population by computed tomography.

BACKGROUND

The anterior clinoid process (ACP) is usually removed during surgical procedures of the cellar region. The ACP may be different length and width in people; it may be also pneumatic. Therefore, we aimed to determine dimensions and rates of pneumatisation of the ACP in the large study group with clinically importance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One thousand and thirty-one (592 female, 439 male) cranial computed tomography (CT) of the middle Anatolian population was used in this study. The length and basal width of the ACP were measured on the cranial CT. Also; incidence and degree of ACP pneumatisation were identified.

RESULTS

The width of the right and left ACPs in females were 10.80 ± 2.27 mm and 10.53 ± 2.07 mm, respectively. The width of the right and left ACPs in males were 11.08 ± 2.39 mm and 10.98 ± 2.35 mm, respectively. The length of the right and left ACPs in females were 8.32 ± 2.40 mm and 8.34 ± 2.35 mm, respectively. The length of the right and left ACPs in males were 8.87 ± 2.62 mm and 8.93 ± 2.64 mm, respectively. There was statistically significant difference between males and females in ACP dimensions, except for the width of the right ACP. Pneumatisation of the ACP was observed on the right side in 46 (9.3%) cases, on the left side in 53 (10.6%) cases, and bilaterally in 32 (6.5%) cases. Incidence of pneumatisation of the ACP was decreased in the age group of 1 month to 20 years. While the incidence of bilateral pneumatisation of the ACP was higher in individuals aged 21-40.

CONCLUSIONS

Radiologically recognising pneumatisation and anatomical variations of the ACP may be helpful in decreasing the incidence of surgical complications during anterior clinoidectomy.