Avoiding Skull Base Injury During Nasal Surgery: CT-Guided Assessment of the Middle Turbinates, Septum, and Skull Base

The authors clearly define the anatomic dimensions of the structures adjacent to the cribriform plate using CT-guided measurements. The authors confirm direct connection of the middle turbinate to the cribriform plate in all cases, with a significant portion of the middle turbinate arising from the cribriform plate. Anatomic knowledge of these structures may guide the plastic surgeon to avoid unfavorable fracture patterns and anterior skull base injury during middle turbinate manipulation and septoplasty.