A Radiological Study on the Location of Sphenopalatine Foramen in Koreans

Abstract

Background and Objectives Endoscopic ligation or cauterization of the sphenopalatine artery (SPA) is used to treat intractable bleeding. Acquisition of intranasal anatomical landmarks can be helpful for locating the sphenopalatine foramen (SPF). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical usefulness of endoscopy by selecting the radioanatomical landmarks for the location of the SPF.Subjects and Method Sinus CT was performed on a total of 271 people, and a study was conducted on bilateral 542 sides. In this study, seven landmarks included third lamella, posterior choana, posterior fontanelle, maxillary line, anterior head of middle turbinate, nasal floor, and bony attached part of inferior turbinate. The distances from the seven landmarks to SPF were measured, respectively. Additionally, the distance from the anterior nasal spine to SPF and the angle between the nasal floor and SPF were measured.Results The horizontal position of SPF was located at the middle point between the posterior choana and the third lamella, and the vertical position was around 13-14 mm upward from the bony attached part of the inferior turbinate. For the performed middle meatal antrostomy, the distance from the posterior fontanelle to SPF was around 12-13 mm behind. The average distance from the anterior nasal spine to SPF was 46.47 mm, and the angle between the nasal floor and the SPF was 29.76°.Conclusion The four landmarks, namely the posterior choana, third lamella, bony attached part of the inferior turbinate, and posterior fontanelle can be useful for locating SPF.