Characterization of sphenoid sinuses for Sudanese population using computed tomography

The purpose of this study is to determine the anatomical features of the sphenoid sinus using computerized tomography (CT). 100 Sudanese subjects were investigated for CT sinuses; Characterization of the sphenoid sinus and seven horizontal and vertical measurements were evaluated. Onodi cell was found in 13 subjects, 10 of them were sellar and 3 were pre-sellar. Pneumatization was of the sellar type in 85 %, presellar was 15 %, and no subject was chonchal. The mean length of vertical lines from the center of sphenoid ostium to the roof and bottom were 10.6 ± 3.1 mm, 11.1 ± 3.7 mm respectively. When the sphenoid ostium was located superior to the lowest point of the sella, the line from the center of the sphenoid sinus ostium to the posterior wall of the sinus was 15.2 ± 4.2 mm and when was located inferior, the line was 26.3 ± 5.2 mm on average. The mean length from the lowest point of the sella to the anterior wall of sphenoid sinus was 16.8 ± 3.6 mm. The line from anterior wall to posterior wall of sphenoid sinus lining skull base was 10.9±3.2mm mm. The maximum depth was 25.2 ± 6.9 mm and the maximum width was 18.4 ± 5.9mm. The differences in the sphenoid sinus character take place between males and females. The study provides essential anatomical information for Sudanese subjects and its impact in the clinical surgical practice.