The progress of the optic nerve in the coronal paranasal sinus tomography

Abstract

Objectives:To demonstrate the progress of the intraocular, intracanalicular and intracranial parts of optic nerve in the coronal paranasal sinus tomography with usage of computed tomography cysternogaphy.Methods:21 computed tomography cysternogaphy studies that had been obtained for the reason of rhinorrhoea between January 2001 and February 2006 in Baflkent University Adana Research and Training Medical Center were scanned retrospectively. The six cases in which the distribution of opaque substance in subarachnoid space around the optic nerve was optimum were examined.Results:The averages of length of the intraocular and intracanalicular parts were 25.50 mm and 6.50 mm respectively. The mean length of intracranial part was 10.75 mm. Optic nerve was very close to posterior ethmoidal sinuses in 4 cases and very close to sphenoidal sinus in 8 cases. The mean length of this direct contact was 3.00 mm.Conclusion:In this study, intraorbital and intracanalicular parts of optic nerve were showed in the coronal paranasal tomography and the estimation of optic nerve in coronal scans became easy. Optic nerve should be evaluated at these points in cases with coronal scans only. If there is any doubt about the progress of optic nerve and the integrity of optic canal in coronal scans, then the evaluatian should be done with usage of axial scans and magnetic resonance imaging.

Keywords

• optic nerve
• coronal paranasal sinus tomography
• cysternogaphy
• endoscopic sinus surgery.