Radiology, Vol 155, 137-141, Copyright © 1985 by Radiological Society of North America
The unprotected parasphenoidal carotid artery studied by high- resolution computed tomography
DM Johnson, RJ Hopkins, WN Hanafee and JD Fisk
A retrospective review was made of 500 consecutive thin-section axial CT
scans of the adult sphenoid sinus using contrast enhancement and the bone
algorithm to determine whether there was exposure of the cavernous sinus
and the carotid arteries along their parasphenoidal course. At least one
cavernous-carotid complex that could be considered at risk during sphenoid
sinus surgery was seen in 31.4% of the patients. Of this group, 14.4% of
the patients had no bony covering on one or both sides at some point along
the parasphenoidal course. In 17% the bony covering was so thin it would
give minimal, if any, protection from surgical trauma. A patient who had
laceration of an unprotected carotid artery with development of
post-traumatic aneurysm is discussed.
