Uncommon sphenoidal fractures and their sequelae.

Eight cases with fractures of the sphenoid bone are discussed. In four the sella turcica was involved. One showed bilateral fractures of the medial pterygoid plates resulting in an open-bite deformity. Another patient exhibited bilateral carotid-cavernous fistulae. This brings the total of documented, angiographically demonstrated, post-traumatic, bilateral, carotid-cavernous fistulae to seven. Fractures of the planum sphenoidale, the floor of the sphenoid sinus, and bilateral fractures of the lesser wings are also shown. The anatomy of the sphenoid bone and clinical sequelae are briefly discussed.