Prevalence of accessory septations of sphenoid sinus in pediatric population: Applications to endoscopic sinus surgery

Association of accessory sphenoidal septum with protrusions of sphenoid sinus

PURPOSE

Accessory sphenoidal septum (ASS) is a septal variation that exists in addition to the primary septum of the sphenoid sinus and can be found in or near anatomically essential structures. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between protrusions of vital structures around the sphenoid sinus and the ASSs.

METHODS

This cross-sectional retrospective study is based on the analysis of CBCT scans of 314 patients in axial, coronal, and sagittal planes with 0.2-0.3 slice thicknesses. Optic nerve (ON), internal carotid artery (ICA), both ON and ICA, maxillary nerve (MN), vidian canal (VN) and ASSs were detected, and the relationship between protrusions of these vital anatomical structures and ASS was evaluated.

RESULTS

Statistically significant relationship was observed between the right Type 1 ON protrusion (p < 0.05) and left Type 1 ON protrusion (p = 0.001); left Type 3 ON protrusion (p < 0.05); right Type 4 ON protrusion (p < 0.05) and ASS. Statistically significant relationship was also observed between the right ICA protrusion and ASS (p < 0.05). The right Type 1 VN protrusion (p = 0.001); left Type 2 VN protrusion (p < 0.001); right and left Type 3 VN protrusions (p < 0.001) were found to be significantly associated with the ASS.

CONCLUSIONS

ASSs have significant associations with some protrusions, and they tend to cause potentially severe complications in endoscopic sinus surgery. This variability requires a comprehensive understanding of regional sphenoid sinus anatomy with detailed three-dimensional tomographic imaging.

Management of Adults With Esophageal Atresia

Esophageal atresia (EA) with or without trachea-esophageal fistula is relatively common congenital malformation with most patients living into adulthood. As a result, care of the adult patient with EA is becoming more common. Although surgical repair has changed EA from a fatal to a livable condition, the residual effects of the anomaly may lead to a lifetime of complications. These include effects related to the underlying deformity such as atonicity of the esophageal segment, fistula recurrence, and esophageal cancer to complications of the surgery including anastomotic stricture, gastroesophageal reflux, and coping with an organ transposition. This review discusses the occurrence and management of these conditions in adulthood and the role of an effective transition from pediatric to adult care to optimize adult care treatment.