Automatic pterygopalatine fossa segmentation and localisation based on DenseASPP.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis constitutes a widespread health concern, with traditional treatments often proving to be painful and ineffective. Acupuncture targeting the pterygopalatine fossa proves effective but is complicated due to the intricate nearby anatomy. METHODS: To enhance the safety and precision in targeting the pterygopalatine fossa, we introduce a deep learning-based model to refine the segmentation of the pterygopalatine fossa. Our model expands the U-Net framework with DenseASPP and integrates an attention mechanism for enhanced precision in the localisation and segmentation of the pterygopalatine fossa. RESULTS: The model achieves Dice Similarity Coefficient of 93.89% and 95% Hausdorff Distance of 2.53 mm with significant precision. Remarkably, it only uses 1.98 M parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Our deep learning approach yields significant advancements in localising and segmenting the pterygopalatine fossa, providing a reliable basis for guiding pterygopalatine fossa-assisted punctures.

Clinically relevant morphometric analysis of pterygopalatine fossa and its volumetric relationship with adjacent paranasal sinuses: a CT-based study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to perform morphometric measurements of the pterygopalatine fossa (PPF), the transition zone to critical neurovascular structures. The second aim was to investigate the relationship between the volumes of the PPF and the paranasal sinuses and the effect of nasal septum deviation (NSD) types on all these measurements. METHODS: We performed PPF's morphometry and all volume measurements on the CT images of 260 patients (130 male and 130 female, age range 18-79). RESULTS: All volumetric measurements and the angle between foramen rotundum (FR) and pterygomaxillary fissure (PMF) were significantly higher in males than females. In contrast, the distance between sphenopalatine foramen (SPF) and PMF was considerably higher in females than in males. The PPF volume, the distance between the pterygoid canal (PC) and maxillary sinus, and the angle between FR and PMF were significantly higher on the right side than on the left. In contrast, the angle between PC and SPF and between greater palatine canal and PPF were considerably higher on the left side than on the right. The angle between PC and SPF decreased markedly with age. Only sphenoidal sinus volume was significantly smaller on the same side as the septal deviation. There was no correlation between PPF volume with maxillary and sphenoid sinus volumes from adjacent paranasal sinuses. CONCLUSIONS: Volumetric and morphometric data obtained from PPF and paranasal sinuses can aid clinicians in diagnosing and treating patients by guiding them in selecting the right surgical approach or tools, especially in endoscopic procedures.

Transorbital Endoscopic Approach to the Pterygopalatine Fossa: A Less Invasive Alternative to Traditional Access.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this article and accompanying video is to demonstrate a transorbital endoscopic approach for accessing the pterygopalatine fossa (PPF). This technique does not require a skin incision, avoids dissection of critical neurovascular structures, and utilizes a comparatively small osteotomy. The 2 cases presented in this article highlight the utility of a transorbital endoscopic approach for accessing an anatomic region that has traditionally required more invasive techniques to reach. METHODS: Description of surgical technique with 2 illustrative clinical cases and accompanying surgical video. RESULTS: Surgical technique: A trans-conjunctival approach is taken to the inferior orbital rim, and a subperiosteal dissection is propagated posteriorly. The bone of the posterior orbital floor is then deroofed, and the superior portion of the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus is removed, allowing access to the PPF for an incisional biopsy. CASE: A 76-year-old male with a history of left cheek squamous cell carcinoma presented with progressive V2 paresthesia and an abnormally enhancing lesion in the left PPF on MRI. CASE: A 58-year-old male with no significant medical history presented with left facial numbness (V1-V3), ptosis, an abduction deficit, and decreased hearing. Contrast-enhanced MRI demonstrated an abnormally enhanced lesion in the left PPF extending to Meckel's cave.The transorbital approach described was used to successfully obtain a diagnostic biopsy in both cases. CONCLUSIONS: These cases highlight the utility of a transorbital endoscopic approach to the PPF as a less morbid alternative to traditional access. Patient selection is key to identifying appropriate cases.

An Intraosseous Pterygopalatine Fossa Dural Arteriovenous Fistula.

Intraosseous dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) are distinct in that the fistula is located within the bone rather than the dura through which the dural vessels pass. It has been stated that only fistulas within marrow should be considered as intraosseous DAVFs rather than DAVFs with traditional angioarchitecture that erode into bone or are located within a bony foramen. The ambiguity in the definition may have contributed to the oversight and scarcity of relevant cases reported in the literature. Three- or four-dimensional digital subtraction angiography is useful for determining the location of the fistula and developing treatment plans. We present an intraosseous DAVF around the pterygopalatine fossa using a transvenous approach.

Drainage of a Pterygopalatine Fossa Abscess With Chronic Sinusitis via an Endoscopic Nasal Approach.

The pterygopalatine fossa is a clinically inaccessible space deep in the face, and reports of pterygopalatine fossa abscesses are rare. The authors present the case of a 63-year-old woman presenting with a severe headache owing to an abscess involving the pterygopalatine fossa. On a computed tomography scan, inflammation of the right pterygopalatine fossa associated with right maxillary sinusitis and periapical inflammation and a cystic lesion around the tooth were observed. After administering appropriate antibiotics, the headache improved considerably, and endoscopic nasal surgery resulted in adequate abscess drainage. To the authors' knowledge, this case study is one of the few reporting the successful treatment of an abscess in the pterygopalatine fossa through an endoscopic transnasal approach.

Endoscopic-assisted en-bloc pterygomaxillectomy: Identifying an efficient and safe location for the pterygoid osteotomy.

BACKGROUND: For aggressive maxillary sinus and pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) tumors, an en-bloc pterygomaxillectomy may be indicated. METHODS: Five head specimens were used to study the feasibility of an en-bloc pterygomaxillectomy. Eighty-five non-pathological CT scans were used to compare the superior edge of the inferior turbinate (IT) and the middle turbinate tail (MT) as landmarks for the pterygoid osteotomy. RESULTS: Through a combined sublabial-subperiosteal incision and transoral route, a mid-sagittal osteotomy through the hard palate and an axial osteotomy below the infraorbital foramen were performed. For the endoscopic pterygoid osteotomy, an infra-vidian transpterygoid approach was performed, subsequently removing the pterygomaxillectomy en-bloc. As landmarks, the osteotomies at the level of the MT tail and IT resected the pterygoid plates completely, but the IT osteotomy was further away from the vidian canal (7.5 vs. 6 mm). CONCLUSIONS: The endoscopic-assisted en-bloc pterygomaxillectomy is feasible. The IT landmark is safe and ensures complete resection of the pterygoid plates.

A radioanatomical study of 3rd segment terminal branches of the maxillary artery in the pterygopalatine fossa.

This study describes the clinical anatomical topography and relationship of the terminal branches of the maxillary artery to the bony wall of the maxillary sinus in the pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) to estimate the bleeding risk during surgical interventions. Using contrasted computer tomography records, (i) the route of the maxillary artery in the infratemporal fossa, (ii) the number of the arteries in the critical PPF surgery plane, (iii) the diameter of the largest artery in the area and (iv) its relation to the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus were examined. Furthermore, measurements were extended with (v) the minerality of the bony posterior wall of the maxillary sinus on bone-window images. For statistical analyses Student's t- and Fisher-test were applied. 50 patients (n = 50, 100 cases including both sides) were examined in this study. The maxillary artery reached the pterygomaxillary fissure on the lateral side of the lateral pterygoid muscle in 56% of the cases (n = 32), in 37% (n = 23) on its medial side and in 7% (n = 4) on both sides. The number of arteries at the level of the Vidian canal in the PPF varied between 1 and 4 with a median of 2. The diameter of the biggest branch was 1.2-4.7 mm, the median diameter was 1.90 mm. In 41% (n = 30) of the cases the biggest artery directly contacted the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus, and the mineral density of the posterior wall was decreased in 14.3% (n = 12) of all investigated cases. The present description and statistical analysis of the vasculature of the PPF optimizes operative planning-like clip size or the type and direction of the surgical approach-in this hidden and deep head/neck region.

Sphenopalatine ganglion volumetry in episodic cluster headache: from symptom laterality to cranial autonomic symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) is a peripheral structure that plays an important role in cluster headache (CH). Hence, a reliable method to measure the volume of SPG is crucial for studying the peripheral mechanism of CH. Additionally, the association between the clinical profiles and the morphology of the SPG in CH remains undetermined. This study aims to use the manual measurement of SPG volume to investigate its associations with CH, including headache laterality, cranial autonomic symptoms (CASs), presence of restlessness or agitation, and other clinical profiles. METHODS: We prospectively recruited consecutive CH patients at a tertiary medical center between April 2020 and April 2022. A total of eighty side-locked, in-bout, episodic CH patients and 40 non-headache healthy controls received 1.5 T brain MRI focusing on structural neuroimaging of the SPG. The manual measurement process for SPG was under axial and sagittal FIESTA imaging, with reference T2 weight images (sagittal and axial) for localization. The inter-observer agreement of the SPG volume (both sides of the SPG from CH patients and controls) between the two observers was calculated. In CH patients, clinical profiles and the number of CASs (range 0-5) were recorded to analyze their association with SPG volume. RESULTS: The inter-observer agreement between the two raters was excellent for the new SPG volumetry method at 0.88 (95% CI: 0.84-0.90, p < 0.001). The mean [SD] SPG volume was larger in CH patients than in non-headache controls (35.89 [12.94] vs. 26.13 [8.62] µL, p < 0.001). In CH patients, the SPG volume was larger on the pain side than on the non-pain side (38.87 [14.71] vs. 32.91 [12.70] µL, p < 0.001). The number of CASs was positively moderately correlated with the pain-side SPG volume (Pearson r = 0.320, p = 0.004) but not the non-pain side SPG volume (Pearson r = 0.207, p = 0.066). CONCLUSIONS: This proof-of-concept study successfully measured the SPG volume and demonstrated its associations with symptomatology in patients with episodic CH. The direct measurement of SPG provide insights into studies on peripheral mechanism of CH.

Comparison of the feasibility and safety of infrazygomatic and suprazygomatic approaches to pterygopalatine fossa using virtual reality.

BACKGROUND: Injections of local anesthetics into pterygopalatine fossa gained popularity for treating acute and chronic facial pain and headaches. Injury of maxillary artery during pterygopalatine fossa injection can result in pseudoaneurysm formation or acute bleeding. We aimed to identify the optimal approach into pterygopalatine fossa by comparing feasibility and safety of suprazygomatic and two infrazygomatic approaches. METHODS: We analyzed 100 diagnostic CT angiographies of cerebral arteries using 3D virtual reality. Each approach was determined as a target point in pterygomaxillary fissure and an array of outermost edges trajectories leading to it. The primary outcomes were feasibility and safety for each approach. The secondary outcome was the determination of maxillary artery position for each approach to identify the safest needle entry point. RESULTS: Suprazygomatic approach was feasible in 96.5% of cases, while both infrazygomatic approaches were feasible in all cases. Suprazygomatic approach proved safe in all cases, posterior infrazygomatic in 73.5%, and anterior infrazygomatic in 38%. The risk of maxillary artery puncture in anterior infrazygomatic approach was 14.7%±26.4% compared to 7.5%±17.2%. in posterior infrazygomatic with the safest needle entry point in the upper-lateral quadrant in both approaches. CONCLUSION: The suprazygomatic approach proved to be the safest, however not always feasible. The posterior infrazygomatic approach was always feasible and predominantly safe if the needle entry point was just anterior to the condylar process. The anterior infrazygomatic approach was always feasible, however least safe even with an optimal needle entry point just anterior to the coronoid process.

A Rare Instance of Pterygopalatine Fossa Tumor With Hearing Loss as the Main Complaint.

Pterygopalatine schwannomas are rare tumors which usually cause the symptoms of the traffic area by the tumors in the pterygopalatine fossa which is difficult to resection. This paper presents 1 rare case of pterygopalatine fossa tumor with hearing loss as the main complaint treated by total resection through the endoscopic endonasal approach.

The application of 3-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging in nasopharyngeal carcinoma with pterygopalatine fossa invasion.

OBJECT: The pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) is a covert neurovascular pathway in the skull base and connects with numerous intracranial and extracranial spaces. The aim of this study was to explore the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of PPF invasion in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The medical records of 88 patients with stage T3 or T4 NPC were retrospectively analyzed. The 3-Dimensional (3D) volumetric images of MRI were reconstructed for the tiny connecting conduits of the invaded PPFs in the NPC patients. The infiltration incidence of conduits and connected further structures were calculated. RESULTS: Forty-six PPFs from 37 patients were invaded by NPC. The proportions of stage T4 NPC and intracranial extension were higher in patients with PPF invasion than that without PPF invasion (P < 0.05). Each connecting conduit of the PPF had corresponding optimal reconstructed orientation based on 3D volumetric MRI images. The first three most common infiltrated conduits were palatovaginal canal, vidian canal and sphenopalatine foramen, which were adjacent to the nasopharynx. Among the conduits connecting with further structures, the most common infiltrated conduit was pterygomaxillary fissure, followed by foramen rotundum and inferior orbital fissure. Furthermore, The NPC lesions involved stage T4 structures via the conduits from 19.6% of the invaded PPFs. CONCLUSIONS: The application of high-quality reconstruction images based on 3D sequence of MRI in NPC patients proved to be feasible and beneficial for the manifestation of the invaded PPFs and connecting conduits.

Infra-Temporal and Pterygo-Palatine Fossae Tumors: A Frontier in Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery-Description of the Surgical Anatomy of the Approach and Report of Illustrative Cases.

Infratemporal and pterygopalatine fossae (ITF and PPF) represent two complex paramedian skull base areas, which can be defined as jewelry boxes, containing a large number of neurovascular and osteomuscular structures of primary importance. They are in close communication with many craniofacial areas, such as nasal/paranasal sinuses, orbit, middle cranial fossa, and oral cavities. Therefore, they can be involved by tumoral, infective or inflammatory lesions spreading from these spaces. Moreover, they can be the primary site of the development of some primitive tumors. For the deep-seated location of ITF and PPF lesions and their close relationship with the surrounding functional neuro-vascular structures, their surgery represents a challenge. In the last decades, the introduction of the endoscope in skull base surgery has favored the development of an innovative anterior endonasal approach for ITF and PPF tumors: the transmaxillary-pterygoid, which gives a direct and straightforward route for these areas. It has demonstrated that it is effective and safe for the treatment of a large number of benign and malignant neoplasms, located in these fossae, avoiding extensive bone drilling, soft tissue demolition, possibly unaesthetic scars, and reducing the risk of neurological deficits. However, some limits, especially for vascular tumors or lesions with lateral extension, are still present. Based on the experience of our multidisciplinary team, we present our operative technique, surgical indications, and pre- and post-operative management protocol for patients with ITF and PPF tumors.

Endoscopic Endonasal Approach to the Pterygopalatine Fossa and Infratemporal Fossa: Comparison of the Prelacrimal and Denker's Corridors.

BACKGROUND: Both the endoscopic transnasal Denker's and prelacrimal approaches provide surgical access to the pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) and infratemporal fossa (ITF). OBJECTIVES: This study compares the potential maximum exposure of the PPF and ITF and quantifies the difference in surgical freedom via endoscopic Denker's and prelacrimal approaches. METHODS: Six cadaveric specimens (12 sides) were dissected using a prelacrimal approach on one side and an endoscopic Denker's approach on the contralateral side. The contents of the PPF and ITF were sequentially exposed. Surgical freedom for each corridor was subsequently calculated. RESULTS: This study confirms that both the prelacrimal and Denker's approaches provide adequate exposure of the PPF and ITF. The maximum exposure boundaries were similar for both approaches, including the middle cranial fossa superiorly, floor of the maxillary sinus inferiorly, zygomatic arch and temporomandibular joint laterally, and post-styloid space posteriorly. However, the data revealed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) regarding the surgical freedom of the prelacrimal (388.17 ± 32.86 mm2) and the endoscopic Denker's approaches (906.35 ± 38.38 mm2). CONCLUSION: When compared with an endoscopic Denker's approach, a prelacrimal approach seems to achieve a similar extent of exposure (ie, visualization) of the PPF and ITF. Nonetheless, the endoscopic Denker's approach offers superior surgical freedom; thus, it is preferred for the management of complex lesions which requires increased instrument maneuverability with a 3- or 4-handed technique.

Radiological evaluation of maxillary artery and descending palatine artery in the pterygopalatine fossa by 3D rotational angiography.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the branching patterns and topographical features of the third part of the maxillary artery (t-MA) and descending palatine artery (DPA) by 3-Dimensional Rotational Angiography (3DRA) images and to define the radiological classification of their variations, based upon the previous cadaveric studies and a review of the literature. METHOD: This study was conducted from May 2020 through June 2021. All consecutive adult patients who were examined with 3D-RA were enrolled in the study. The morphological evaluations and measurements of t-MA, DPA and their branches were made on maximum intensity projection images with 10-20 mm slice thickness. RESULTS: Eighty-five hemifaces, including 58 females and 45 right sides, were evaluated. The diameter of the t-MA was measured as 1.73 ± 0.30 mm. The most common pattern of the t-MA according to its course was loop type (63/85, 74.1%) and according to branching pattern was Type Ib (29/85, 34.1%). The mean diameter of DPA was 1.19 ± 0.20 mm. The DPA presented as a single trunk in 11/85 cases. Type II, which was defined as one lesser palatine artery originating from distal-DPA, was the most common morphological variation (51.8%). CONCLUSIONS: 3DRA imaging provides valuable information for vascular anatomical studies. The most common morphological variation related to t-MA, DPA is the distal branching pattern.

Nasosinusal Endoscopic Anatomy and Physiology

The present article focuses on the analysis of the nasal cavity's anatomy succinctly and descriptively. This essay was carried out through a bibliographic review, directed to the detailed anatomy of the nasal cavity, and the structures that form its sinuses. We have identified the need formore studies directed to the related anatomical area so that the improved knowledge of this region ensures a nasoendoscopic treatment with better effectiveness and no complications.

Ultrasound-Guided Suprazygomatic Nerve Blocks to the Pterygopalatine Fossa: A Safe Procedure.

OBJECTIVES: Large-scale procedural safety data on pterygopalatine fossa nerve blocks (PPFBs) performed via a suprazygomatic, ultrasound-guided approach are lacking, leading to hesitancy surrounding this technique. The aim of this study was to characterize the safety of PPFB. METHODS: This retrospective chart review examined the records of adults who received an ultrasound-guided PPFB between January 1, 2016, and August 30, 2020, at the University of Florida. Indications included surgical procedures and nonsurgical pain. Clinical data describing PPFB were extracted from medical records. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all variables, and quantitative variables were analyzed with the paired t test to detect differences between before and after the procedure. RESULTS: A total of 833 distinct PPFBs were performed on 411 subjects (59% female, mean age 48.5 years). Minor oozing from the injection site was the only reported side effect, in a single subject. Although systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation were significantly different before and after the procedure (132.3 vs 136.4 mm Hg, P < 0.0001; 78.2 vs 80.8, P = 0.0003; and 97.8% vs 96.3%, P < 0.0001; respectively), mean arterial pressure and diastolic blood pressure were not significantly different (96.2 vs 97.1 mm Hg, P = 0.1545, and 78.2 vs 77.4 mm Hg, P = 0.1314, respectively). Similar results were found within subgroups, including subgroups by sex, race, and indication for PPFB. DISCUSSION: We have not identified clinically significant adverse effects from PPFB performed with an ultrasound-guided suprazygomatic approach in a large cohort in the hospital setting. PPFBs are a safe and well-tolerated pain management strategy; however, prospective multicenter studies are needed.