AIM: From a surgical point of view, the pneumatization patterns of the frontal sinus, crista galli and nasal septum are crucial as they are in close localization and the communication between them can cause dissemination of frontal pathologies and iatrogenic cerebrospinal fluid leak, and also can be a morphologic barrier during surgical procedures. Thus, this study aimed to provide detailed information about anterior skull base anatomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In terms of sex and laterality, the drainage pathways and anatomical variations of these structures in 402 patients were evaluated via computed tomography scans. RESULTS: The pneumatization patterns of the frontal sinus were as follows: absent, 3.7%; unilateral, 8%; bilateral, 75.1% and triple, 13.2%. The pneumatized crista galli was identified in 120 (29.8%) patients, and its drainage pathway was observed in 54.1% of patients. The sinus septi nasi was identified in 92 (22.8%) and its drainage pathway was observed in 16.3%. The prevalences of the position types of crista galli regarding the cribriform plate were as follows; type I, 18.3%; type II, 64.9%; type III, 16.8%. CONCLUSION: Despite meticulous knowledge of anatomy, preoperative radiologic evaluation creates the base for successful treatment of anterior skull base pathologies with safer and effective surgery.
AIM: From a surgical point of view, the pneumatization patterns of the frontal sinus, crista galli and nasal septum are crucial as they are in close localization and the communication between them can cause dissemination of frontal pathologies and iatrogenic cerebrospinal fluid leak, and also can be a morphologic barrier during surgical procedures. Thus, this study aimed to provide detailed information about anterior skull base anatomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In terms of sex and laterality, the drainage pathways and anatomical variations of these structures in 402 patients were evaluated via computed tomography scans. RESULTS: The pneumatization patterns of the frontal sinus were as follows: absent, 3.7%; unilateral, 8%; bilateral, 75.1% and triple, 13.2%. The pneumatized crista galli was identified in 120 (29.8%) patients, and its drainage pathway was observed in 54.1% of patients. The sinus septi nasi was identified in 92 (22.8%) and its drainage pathway was observed in 16.3%. The prevalences of the position types of crista galli regarding the cribriform plate were as follows; type I, 18.3%; type II, 64.9%; type III, 16.8%. CONCLUSION: Despite meticulous knowledge of anatomy, preoperative radiologic evaluation creates the base for successful treatment of anterior skull base pathologies with safer and effective surgery.