CLIVAL TYPE PNEUMATISATION OF THE SPHENOID SINUS AND ITS ADVANTAGE IN ENDOSCOPIC SURGICAL INTERVENTIONS

The clival type of pneumatisation of the sphenoid sinus provides a direct corridor to the ventral surface of the brain stem, reducing the need for manipulation of neurovascular structures. An analysis of 22 patients operated on for pituitary adenoma, divided into two groups according to clival pneumatisation, shows that 12 patients have similar pneumatisation, while 10 of them do not. In the first group of patients, the endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal technique allowed for wider exposure and fewer postoperative complications compared to traditional trans-cranial approaches. The clival type of sinus sphenoidalis is associated with a lower incidence of bleeding and cerebrospinal fluid leakage, as well as faster recovery.