Head and Neck Imaging

sphenoid sinus, pathology

Inflammation
Inflammatory disease is common in the sphenoid sinus; see sinonasal cavities, inflammation , fungal sinusitis .
- mucocele
Mucoceles are uncommon in the sphenoid sinus. They may produce symptoms due to compression of the orbital apices, including the optic nerves.
- sphenochoanal polyp
Trauma
Skull base fractures may include the sphenoid sinus; such a sphenoidal fracture is often an extension of a longitudinal fracture, temporal bone . The sphenoid sinus may also become involved in a nasoethmoid fracture or Le Fort III fracture (see facial fractures and Le Fort fractures ). Sphenoid fractures are often complicated by post-traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leak .
Tumour
Primary neoplasms of the sphenoid sinus are uncommon. Similar tumours to those arising in other parts of the sinonasal cavities may be encountered (see sinonasal cavities, cancer ). Angiofibroma commonly grows into the sphenoid sinus. Pituitary neoplasms may also extend into the sphenoid sinus.

RH