ASSESSMENT OF VARIATIONS IN SPHENOID SINUS PNEUMATIZATION IN PAKISTANI POPULATION AT TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL. A RETROSPECTIVE MULTIDETECTOR COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY STUDY

Aim: The aim of the study is to evaluate the role of computed tomography in identifying the various pattern of pneumatization in the sphenoid sinuses.Knowledge  of pattern of pneumatization is essential for various trans-sphenoidal surgical procedures. Methodology: This is a retrospective study conducted at tertiary care hospital Lahore General Hospital Department of Diagnostic Radiology from the period of June 2020 to December 2020.The study consisted of a total of  80 patients from age group of 20 years to 70 years who were referred to the Department of Diagnostic Radiology for CT scan(PNS) .Patients of age less than 20 years , previous facial surgeries , trauma of skull base and having tumor of sphenoid sinuses were excluded. Sphenoid sinuses images were evaluated for pneumatization by posterior and anterior  extensions. RESULTS: The patients included were in the age range of 20-70 year with an average age of 43.5 year  in which 44 (55%) were male and 36(45) were female The pneumatization pattern observed in the sphenoid sinuses in descending order was as follows , post sellar prevalence was 75%, prevalence of  sellar was 10% and 2.5% was presellar. Conchal prevelance was observed to be 0%. Conclusion: Sphenoid  sinus anatomy review before trans-sphenoidal surgery is vital for safer endoscopic instrumentation of the patients . Keyword: Sphenoid sinus, pneumatization, cerebral fluid leak, endoscopy