Assessment of the Anterior Clinoid Process and Optic Strut in Chiari Malformation Type I: A Computed Tomography Study.

Objective This study aimed to evaluate morphological features of the anterior clinoid process (ACP) and the optic strut (OS) in Chiari malformation Type I (CM-I). Methods The study universe consisted of computed tomography images of 41 CM-I patients and 45 normal subjects. Comparison of the parameters for CM-I and the control group was performed with the Student's t -test. A " p < 0.05" was accepted as the significance level. Results ACP length was smaller in CM-I than the control group ( p < 0.001). In contrast to ACP length, ACP angle ( p < 0.001), OS length ( p = 0.022), and the distance between ACP and OS ( p = 0.020) were found greater in CM-I in comparison to the control group ( p < 0.05). ACP width ( p = 0.233) and OS width ( p = 0.376) were similar in both groups. ACP pneumatization in CM-I group was found as 12.20%, whereas in the control group as 8.90%. Two different types about the pneumatization were identified in CM-I group (Type 1: 4.9% and Type 2: 7.3%), whereas three different types in the control group (Type 1: 3.3%, Type 2: 4.4%, and Type 3: 1.1%). Relative to ACP, three different types about OS position were identified in CM-I group (Type C: 31.70%, Type D: 64.60%, and Type E: 3.70%) and the control group (Type C: 7.80%, Type D: 64.40%, and Type E: 27.80%). Conclusion Shorter ACP, wide-angled ACP, longer OS, and more anteriorly located OS were found in CM-I group compared with the normal group. Our findings showed that the pneumatization of ACP was not affected by CM-I.

Analysis of the Prechiasmatic Sulcus in Chiari Malformation Type I.

OBJECTIVE: To assess morphologic features of the prechiasmatic sulcus (PS) in Chiari malformation type I (CM-I). METHODS: Computed tomography images were obtained in patients with CM-1 (mean age: 21.26 ± 16.46 years; sex: 25 females and 17 males) and 58 healthy control subjects (mean age: 28.12 ± 22.60 years; sex: 29 females and 29 males). The following parameters were measured to determine the anatomy of the PS: planum length, sulcal length, sulcal angle (SA), and interoptic distance. Considering sulcal length and SA measurements, 4 types of PS were identified: narrow-steep-groove (NSG), narrow-flat-groove (NFG), wide-steep-groove, and wide-flat-groove. RESULTS: SA was greater in the CM-I group (32.80 ± 18.21°) compared with the control group (23.05 ± 14.53°) (P = 0.004), but the other parameters were similar in both groups. Distribution ranking of PS types was as follows: NFG (31%) > NSG (26.20%) > wide-steep-groove (23.80%) > wide-flat-groove (19%) in the CM-I group; wide-flat-groove (37.90%) > wide-steep-groove (20.70%) = NFG (20.70%) = NSG (20.70%) in the control group. Distribution rate of PS types relative to both groups showed that the classification system was not affected by CM-I (P = 0.226). CONCLUSIONS: SA value was approximately 25% greater in the CM-I group than in the control group; thus, CM-I patients had more vertical groove. The percentage of narrow-type (NSG + NFG) PS in the CM-I group was higher than in the control group.

Change in the Location of the Optic Strut Relative to the Anterior Clinoid Process Pneumatization.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to peruse the alteration of the position of the optic strut (OS) according to the anterior clinoid process (ACP) pneumatization. METHODS: This retrospective study conducted on cone-beam computed tomography images of 400 patients with a mean age of 36.49±15.91 years. RESULTS: Anterior clinoid process length, width, and angle were measured as 10.56±2.42 mm, 5.46±1.31 mm, and 42.56±14.68 degrees, respectively. The tip of ACP was measured as 6.60±1.50 mm away from the posterior rim of OS. In the 631 sides (78.87%) did not have ACP pneumatization. In the cases with ACP pneumatization, three different configurations were identified as follows: Type 1 in 71 sides (8.87%), Type 2 in 56 sides (7%), and Type 3 in 42 sides (5.23%). Relative to ACP, the location of OS was determined as follows: Type A in 29 sides (3.64%), Type B in 105 sides (13.12%), Type C in 344 sides (43%), Type D in 289 sides (36.12%), and Type E in 33 sides (4.12%). The spread of data related to the attachment site of OS according to the presence or absence of ACP pneumatization showed that the location of OS was affected by ACP pneumatization ( P <0.001). In ACPs with pneumatization, the frequency of OS position relative to ACP was found as follows: Type A in none of sides (0%), Type B in 8 sides (7.6%), Type C in 53 sides (15.4%), Type D in 88 sides (30.4%), and Type E in 20 sides (60.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The main finding of this study was that the location of OS relative to ACP was affected by ACP pneumatization. In ACPs with pneumatization, OS was located more posteriorly compared with ACPs without pneumatization.

The Radiological Evaluation of the Mastoid Process and Its Implications for Surgical Approaches.

Background and objective In various surgical procedures, in approaching the posterior fossa and the posterolateral cranial base, surface markings are used to locate the groove for transverse and sigmoid sinuses, and their junction. Determining these surface landmarks, especially the mastoid bone and its surrounding anatomical formations, is extremely valuable. The purpose of this study was to examine the anatomical features and the relationship between the mastoid process and surrounding structures on cone-beam CT (CBCT) images. Methods Before starting this retrospective study, approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Gaziantep University (approval date: 04/12/2019; number: 470). Individuals who consulted the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology of Gaziantep University's Faculty of Dentistry between 2015-2018 for any reason and whose CBCT images were taken were included in this study. Frankfort horizontal plane was used for the standardization of the images. Measurements were made on three different sections: coronal, transverse, and sagittal. Results The cohort consisted of 149 females and 98 males; the mean age of the participants was 45.72 ± 17.12 years. It was determined that homogeneity was achieved in terms of data distribution between genders according to age (p=0.777). Additionally, it was determined that there was a statistically significant difference between the genders in all parameters except anterior inclination angle (AIA), and higher values were found in males. Conclusion We believe that the results obtained from this study may contribute toward decreasing the complication rate and increasing success in surgical procedures, especially with respect to approaching the posterior fossa and the posterolateral cranial base.