Study of the relation between medial orbitofrontal artery and anterior skull base performed by computed tomography angiography.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to analyze the relationships between the medial orbitofrontal artery (MOFA) and the anterior skull base (ASB) including anatomical endonasal landmarks using computed tomography angiography (CTA). METHODS: We studied 52 CTAs using OsiriX software. All CTAs were placed in the same anatomical position. MOFA was identified in the sagittal and coronal plane and its correlation with ASB was analyzed. The distance between the MOFA and landmarks for endonasal surgery were obtained, determining the high risk areas for its injury. RESULTS: After arising from the anterior cerebral artery, the MOFA dives inferiorly towards the ASB, close to the midline (average distance of 1.5 mm), approaching the planum sphenoidale (average distance of 1.8 mm) and then ascends away from the ASB as it runs anteriorly, with an average distance of 4.4 mm in the region of the anterior wall of the sphenoid sinus and 12 mm in the region of the anterior ethmoid artery. CONCLUSIONS: The MOFA has an intimate relationship with the ASB and nasal cavity; the regions with the highest risk of surgical trauma are between the posterior ethmoid and the planum sphenoidale.

Manejo de epistaxis posterior en el Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile entre los años 2013 y 2016 / Treatment of posterior epistaxis in the Clinical Hospital of the University of Chile between the years 2013 and 2016

Introducción: La epistaxis corresponde a una de las causas más frecuentes de consulta otorrinolaringológica en los servicios de urgencia. La epistaxis posterior es menos frecuente pero su presentación más severa. Existen varias alternativas terapéuticas, en las últimas décadas el manejo quirúrgico endoscópico de la arteria esfenopalatina (AEP) ha ido en aumento dado las ventajas en comodidad para el paciente y reducción de costos asociados. Objetivo: Revisar el manejo realizado en los cuadros de epistaxis posterior en el Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile (HCUCh). Material y método: Estudio descriptivo en el Servicio de Otorrinolaringología del HCUCh de pacientes que presentaron epistaxis posterior entre el año 2013 y 2016. Resultados: Se revisó un total de 33 casos. La edad promedio de los pacientes fue 61,6 años siendo las comorbilidades más frecuentes la hipertensión arterial (36,3%) y fibrilación auricular (18,1%). Se realizó tratamiento quirúrgico en 57,6% de los pacientes siendo el clipaje de AEP la intervención quirúrgica más frecuente. Discusión y conclusiones: Tanto el manejo tradicional como las técnicas quirúrgicas presentaron eficacia similar en la serie revisada.

Introduction: Epistaxis corresponds to one of the most frequent causes of otorhinolaryngological consultation in the emergency services. Posterior epistaxis is less frequent but more severe. There are several therapeutic alternatives, in recent decades the surgical endoscopic management of the sphenopalatine artery (AEP) has been increasing given the advantages in comfort for the patient and reduction of associated costs. Aim: To review the management of posterior epistaxis in the Clinical Hospital of the University of Chile (HCUCh). Material and method: Descriptive study in the Otorhinolaryngology Service of the HCUCh of patients who presented posterior epistaxis between the years 2013 and 2016. Results: A total of 33 cases were reviewed. The mean age of the patients was 61.6 years, with the most frequent comorbidities being hypertension (36.3%) and atrial fibrillation (18.1%). Surgical treatment was performed in 57.6% of the patients, with AEP clipping being the most frequent surgical intervention. Conclusion: Both traditional management and surgical techniques presented similar efficacy in the revised series.

Sphenoid sinus symmetry and differences between sexes.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the anatomic variations of neurovascular structures adjacent to the sphenoid sinus and their agreement between right and left sides as well as differences between sexes. METHODS: Forty-five cadavers were dissected (24 men, and differences between sexes and agreement of anatomic variations of the sphenoid sinus between sides were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean distance from the sphenoid sinus ostium to the anterior nasal spine was greater in males than in females by an average of 3.0 mm (p = 0.001) while the mean difference of distances between the right and left side was -1.1 +/- 3.1 mm. Female cadavers had a greater frequency of optic-carotid recess (p = 0.04) and dehiscence over the maxillary nerve (p = 0.02), as well as greater relative risk of optic nerve protrusion (p < 0.001), and dehiscence over the internal carotid artery (ICA) (p = 0.002). In male cadavers the intersinus septum was inserted on the course of the ICA 3.5 times more often than in female (p = 0.02). Agreement of anatomic variations between sides ranged from moderate to almost perfect depending on the structures evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: There are anatomic differences of the sphenoid sinus between sexes and between right and left sides, and these differences should be taken into consideration during surgery.

Endoscopic ligature of the sphenopalatine artery for severe posterior epistaxis.

OBJECTIVE: To present our experience with endoscopic ligature of the sphenopalatine artery in the treatment of severe posterior epistaxis of patients who had previously undergone conservative procedures. METHODS: Eleven patients with severe posterior epistaxis were treated during a 25-month period with an endoscopic ligature of the sphenopalatine artery. The basic principle of the surgical technique is to identify the branches of the sphenopalatine artery through an endoscopic endonasal approach and to apply a titanium clip under direct vision. RESULTS: The endoscopic ligature of the sphenopalatine artery was performed unilaterally in 10 patients and bilaterally in 1 patient, with a total of 12 ligatures. It was possible to identify the sphenopalatine artery in all cases with a successful outcome using this surgical technique alone. CONCLUSION: Endonasal endoscopic ligature of the sphenopalatine artery has been an effective surgical technique for treating severe posterior epistaxis.