Visualisation of the vomerovaginal canal during endonasal transpterygoid approaches and CT imaging diagnosis.

Visualisation of the vomerovaginal canal during endonasal transpterygoid approaches and CT imaging diagnosis.
J Anat. 2019 Aug;235(2):246-255
Authors: Meng QG, Lu YT, Wang CX, Tan SP, Wei MH
Abstract
The vomerovaginal canal (VVC) and palatovaginal canal (PVC) are two canals that open forward to the posterior wall of the pterygopalatine fossa (PPF). Although the anatomy and computed tomography (CT) appearances of the PVC have been well studied, the VVC has been rarely reported, especially in endoscopic examinations. Some studies have even failed to distinguish the PVC from the VVC on CT images. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the anatomy of the VVC on endoscopy and reveal its differences from the PVC, and to analyse the relative positions of the VVC, PVC, and pterygoid canal on CT images. Ten dry skull bases were studied to observe the structures involved in the formation of the VVC. Dissection of four cadaveric heads was performed to demonstrate the anatomy of the VVC on endoscopy. Coronal CT image analysis in 70 patients was conducted to evaluate the distances and relative positions between the VVC, PVC, and pterygoid canal. The PVC and VVC were also compared on axial CT images. The osteological study showed the top wall of the VVC was the antero-inferior wall of the sphenoid sinus. The VVC may be a helpful landmark in endoscopic endonasal transpterygoid approaches. Steps and discrimination in the dissections of the VVC...

Source: Journal of Anatomy - July 19, 2019 Category: Anatomy Authors: Meng QG, Lu YT, Wang CX, Tan SP, Wei MH Tags: J Anat Source Type: research