Sphenoid Sinus Volume and Carotid artery/Optic Nerve Protrusion: A CT Study in Libyan Population

Background and aims. The sphenoid sinus is an important anatomical structure at the base of the skull. Due to the proximity to vital neurovascular structures such as the internal carotid artery (ICA) and optic nerve (ON), variations in sphenoid sinus anatomy can have significant implications for transsphenoidal surgical approaches This study investigates the relationship between sphenoid sinus volume and ICA and ON protrusion in a Libyan population using computed tomography (CT) scans. Methods. This retrospective study included 100 maxillofacial CT scans from adult Libyan patients. Multiplanar CT scans were performed to measure the volume of the sphenoid sinus and to quantify the projection of the internal carotid artery and optic nerve into the maxillary sinus. The relationships between these anatomical parameters were statistically analyzed using SPSS. Results. Sphenoid sinus volume was significantly larger in men compared to women. A significant association was found between larger sphenoid sinus volume and ICA protrusion, either alone or in combination with ON protrusion. ON protrusion alone showed no significant correlation with sinus volume. Conclusion. The results suggest that individuals with larger sphenoid sinus volumes are more likely to have ICA protrusion. In contrast, ON protrusion alone does not appear to be associated with significantly larger sphenoid sinus volumes.