Abstract
Objective to determine the anterior ethmoidal artery (AEA) anatomy and variations by computed
tomography (CT) in adult and their relations to and presents new AEA classifications.
Methods One hundred and fifty paranasal CT scans (300 sides) were included. Axial images
were acquired with multiplanar reformates to obtain delicate details in coronal and
sagittal planes.
Results One hundred and forty-four AEAs canal (48%), 293 AEAs foramen (97.7%), and 229 AEAs
sulcus could be detected (76.3%). The mean AEA intranasal length was 6.7 ± 1.27 mm
(range: 4.24–10.6 mm). The mean angle between AEA and lamina papyracea was 105.49 ± 9.28
degrees (range: 76.41–129.76 degrees). Of them, 95.8% AEAs had an angle with lamina
>90 degrees, while 4.2% had angle <90 degrees. The mean angle between AEA and lateral
lamella of cribriform plate was 103.95 ± 13.08 degrees (range: 65.57–141.36 degrees).
Of them, 87.5% AEAs had an angle >90 degrees and 12.5% had an angle <90 degrees. The
mean distance between AEA and skull base was 1.37 ± 1.98 mm (range: 0–8.35 mm). The
AEA types in relation to skull base was type 1 (0–2 mm from skull base; 64.6%), type
2 (2–4 mm; 22.2%), type 3 (4–6 mm; 11.1%), and type 4 (>6 mm; 2.1%). The mean distance
between the AEA and frontal sinus ostium was 9.17 ± 4.72 mm (range: 0–25.36 mm). AEA
classification according to distance from AEA to frontal sinus ostium was 17.4% type
1 (<5 mm), 41.7% type 2 (5–10 mm), 31.9% type 3 (10–15 mm), and 9% type 4 (>15 mm).
Conclusion Provided AEA details improve surgeons' awareness of AEA variations in the endoscopic
field and can help residents in training.
Keywords
anterior ethmoidal artery - nose - computed tomography - skull base - lamina papyracea
