ENDOSCOPIC ANATOMY OF THE SPHENOID SINUS AND SELLA TURCICA

An endoscopic study of the sphenoid sinus was carried out, on 30 cadav ers, to understand the important anatomical relationships of the sphen oid sinus, and the sella turcica. The aim was to study the endoscopic anatomy and the variants, and to determine if endoscopic instrumentati on and techniques, could play a beneficial role in endoscopic manageme nt of sellar lesions. The results of this study are discussed, with pa rticular reference to the important surgical anatomical features of th e sphenoid sinus. A surgical technique for the endoscopic transsphenoi d approach to the sella turcica was developed.Anatomical variants can be identified endoscopically, and endoscopic techniques have the advan tages of improved visualization, magnification, angled vision, and a p anoramic perspective of the intrasphenoid anatomy, compared to current ly employed methods of pituitary/sellar surgery, using the operating m icroscope.