Arch Craniofac Surg.  2023 Aug;24(4):174-178. 10.7181/acfs.2023.00339.

Optic foramen location on computed tomography

• Nguyen VD
• Le MTQ
• Nguyen CD
• Nguyen TTK

• KMID: 2545282
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7181/acfs.2023.00339

Abstract

Background
This study aimed to identify the location of the optic foramen in relation to the anterior sphenoid sinus wall, which is essential information for surgeons in planning and performing endoscopic transnasal surgery.
Methods
Computed tomography scans of 200 orbits from 100 adult patients with no abnormalities were examined. The results included the location of the optic foramen in relation to the anterior sphenoid sinus wall and the distance between them, as well as the distance from the optic foramen and the anterior sphenoid sinus wall to the carotid prominence in the posterior sphenoid sinus.
Results
The optic foramen was anterior to the anterior sphenoid sinus wall in 48.5% of orbits, and posterior in the remaining 51.5%. The mean distance from the optic foramen to the anterior sphenoid sinus wall was 3.82 ± 1.25 mm. The mean distances from the optic foramen and the anterior sphenoid sinus wall to the carotid prominence were 7.67 ± 1.73 and 7.95 ± 2.53 mm, respectively.
Conclusion
The optic foramen was anterior to the anterior wall of the sphenoid sinus in approximately half of the orbits examined in this study, and posterior in the remaining half. The mean distance from the optic foramen to the anterior sphenoid sinus wall of the sphenoid sinus was 3.82 ± 1.25 mm.

Keyword

Optic nerve / Orbit / Sphenoid sinus / Tomography