Objectives:
Anterior clinoid process which is partially or totally takes out in the surgery of sellar region has a great surgical importance. For effective clinoidectomy, a neurosurgeon should have the prior knowledge of anatomical variations of anterior clinoid process. The aim of this study was to investigate the dimensions, pneumatization and variation of anterior clinoid process in Turkish population.
Materials and Methods:
A Multidetector Computerized Tomography images of 500 subjects (270 male, 230 female), between 19 and 86 years of age, were included in the study. Dimensions of anterior clinoid process, presence and types of pneumatization of the anterior clinoid process and pneumatization types (1, 2 or 3) were evaluated.
Results:
The average basal width and length of anterior clinoid process on right side was 11.97±1.90 and 6.8±1.58 mm, respectively, and on the left side it was 11.73±1.71 and 7.94±1.81 mm, respectively. Right, left and bilateral pneumatization were detected in 12%, 12% and 4% respectively. The most commonly seen types of pneumatization of anterior clinoid process were type 1 (50%) for right pneumatization and type 2 pneumatization for left (59%) and bilateral (40%) pneumatization.
Conclusion:
The anatomic variations of the anterior clinoid process should be considered in the approaches to the cavernous sinus and the sellar region.
Keywords: Anterior Clinoid Process, Anterior Clinoidectomy, Computed Tomography, Measurements, Pneumatization
