Clinical Images: PDF OnlyThe Uncovered Internal Carotid Artery in the Sphenoid Sinus CT DetectionThomas, Richard D.; Oliverio, Roseanne Author Information Department of Radiology, Childrens Hospital of Buffalo, 219 Bryant Street, Buffalo, NY 14222 Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography: July 1994 - Volume 18 - Issue 4 - p 650-651 Buy Abstract Computed tomography plays a vital role in planning functional endoscopie sinus surgery (FESS). It is used to analyze the pattern of disease and to detect anatomic variants that may predispose the patient to recurrent sinusitis. It may also depict anatomic variants that could make the surgery more hazardous. The case illustrated shows an exposed internal carotid artery within the left sphenoid sinus, a finding that may be mistaken for a retention cyst with potentially serious consequences. The relationship of the internal carotid artery to the sphenoid sinus should be determined in any patient for which FESS is to be considered. © Lippincott-Raven Publishers.
