Anatomical relationship of pterygoid process pneumatization and vidian canal

INTRODUCTION: The vidian canal acts as landmark for the identification of the petrous carotid artery, especially during extended endoscopic endonasal approaches in cranial base surgeries. In order to localize the canal and to understand the relationship of pneumatization of pterygoid process to the type of vidian canal, this study was designed. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to describe the anatomical relationship of pneumatization of the pterygoid process with types of vidian canal. The length of vidian canal, relationship to medial plate of pterygoid process and relationship to the petrous part of internal carotid artery were evaluated. METHODS: Head computer tomography scans of 52 individuals for suspected paranasal pathology were studied. The degree of sphenoid sinus pneumatization, pterygoid process pneumatization and types of vidian canal (type 1, 2 and 3) were noted. The length of vidian canal, distance from the plane of medial pterygoid plate and relation of vidian canal to the junction of petrous and Gasserian (ascending) part of internal carotid artery was noted. RESULTS: 46 (92%) sphenoid sinuses were of the sellar variety. Out of 104 sides that were studied, 57 sides demonstrated a pneumatised pterygoid process and 47 were not pneumatised. In 49 sides (47.1%) the vidian canal was on the same plane as that of the medial pterygoid plate in the coronal section. The vidian canal partially protruded into the sphenoid sinus (type 2) was the most common type (50.9%), found both on right and left sides. There is a statistically significant association between the pterygoid process pneumatization and occurrence of type 2 and type 3 vidian canal configuration. The average length of the vidian canal was 16.16 ± 1.8 mm. In 96 sides, the anterior end of vidian canal was inferolateral to petrous part of internal carotid artery in the coronal plane. CONCLUSION: Pneumatization of the pterygoid process indicates either type 2 or type 3 vidian canal configuration.