Utility of the Vidian Canal in Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery: Detailed Anatomy and Relationship to the Internal Carotid Artery

Objective To investigate key anatomic features of the vidian canal that have a critical role in planning and performing endoscopic skull base surgeries. Methods We reviewed skull base computed tomographic images of 640 consecutive subjects. Studies were analyzed in axial, coronal and sagittal planes. Results The mean (±SD) length of the vidian canal was 15.4 ± 2.0 mm in female subjects and 16.6 ± 1.7 mm in male subjects, and the difference between genders was statistically significant ( P Conclusions A variety of previously undefined features of the vidian canal that can alter the course of surgical procedure were defined. The position of the vidian canal with respect to the petrous internal carotid artery (ICA) was extensively described. From a surgical standpoint, a working room inferior and medial to the vidian canal might not always be a safe approach, because the vidian canal could be located superior to the level of the anterior genu of petrous ICA according to our findings in the present study.