Optic canal (OC) and internal carotid artery (ICA) in sellar region.

PURPOSE: OC and ICA are important structures in sellar region, the injury of ICA and optic nerve can be the severe complications in the operations related to sellar region such as the transsphenoidal surgery and extended transsphenoidal surgery. So knowing their position and their relationship to stable structures in sellar region is of great importance. The aim of our study is to provide specific and comprehensive data about the location of OC and ICA in sellar region in order to guide the surgeons through difficulties in surgeries related to sellar region.

METHODS: Computer topographic angiography (CTA) images of 200 individuals were reviewed, the measurement was performed on coronal, sagittal and axis planes after multiplanar reformation (MPR). We located OC by the tubercular recess (TR) and the top edge of sphenoid sinus, we located ICA by the midpoint of sellar floor (SF) and the top edge of sphenoid sinus.

RESULT: OC can be located by TR and the distance between OC and sagittal midline; ICA can be located by midpoint of SF and distance between ICA and sagittal midline; ICA has stationary relationship to ACP.

CONCLUSION: Knowing the anatomical position of OC and ICA and the positional relationship between them and the sellar region is of great importance in the surgeries related to the sellar region such as the trans-sphenoidal approach to pituitary and extended transsphenoidal surgery to non-pituitary adenoma lesions.