The anterior ethmoid artery (AEA) and the posterior ethmoid artery (PEA) are major vessels supplying the ethmoid sinus, septum, and anterior skull base.

Control of these vessels is a key step in performing extended sinus and skull base procedures.

The critical location of these vessels, which traverse the orbit and roof of the ethmoid sinus, makes iatrogenic damage to these vessels potentially dangerous during endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery ( Fig. 4.1 ).

Coronal computed tomographic scan (left) and endoscopic image (right) with the left anterior ethmoid artery indicated (left, arrow; right, arrowhead).

Retraction of the AEA into the orbit can lead to permanent vision loss if not managed appropriately.

Elective ligation of the AEA and PEA is indicated for extended endonasal procedures when control of these vascular structures is an essential component of the procedure, such as in endoscopic craniofacial resections.

Rarely, intractable or traumatic epistaxis requires ligation of these arteries, but this is probably best managed externally with endoscopic assistance.

This chapter explains how to reliably perform an endoscopic endonasal ligation of the AEA and PEA before surgery of the anterior skull base as well as to perform open arterial ligation for epistaxis.

The AEA and PEA are branches of the ophthalmic artery.

The PEA is smaller than the AEA and is found at the junction of the roof of the sphenoid and posterior ethmoid sinuses.

The AEA lies between the second and third lamella of the lateral nasal wall (ethmoid bulla and middle turbinate, respectively). This is posterior to the anterior face of the ethmoid bulla unless a suprabullar recess exists. In general, it is found one cell behind the frontal ostium along the skull base ( Fig. 4.2 ).

(A) Parasagittal computed tomographic (CT) scan showing the location of the anterior ethmoid artery (AEA), which is usually found between the second and third basal lamellae of the lateral nasal wall. The anterior ethmoid foramen is seen on the skull base between these two structures. (B) Parasagittal CT scan showing the anterior (white arrow) and posterior (black arrow) ethmoid arteries on the skull base. AN, Agger nasi; EB, ethmoid bulla; FS, frontal sinus; IT, inferior turbinate; MT, middle turbinate.

The AEA passes between the superior oblique and medial rectus muscles before leaving the orbit at the anterior ethmoid foramen, together with the anterior ethmoid nerve, to enter the roof of the ethmoid sinus. It crosses the cribriform plate and enters the nose through a tiny slit adjacent to the crista galli to become the dorsal nasal artery.

Depending on the pneumatization of the ethmoid sinuses and the height of the lateral lamella of the cribriform plate, the AEA may lie on a mesentery below the skull base within the ethmoid sinus (seen in 36% of cases; Fig. 4.3 ).

(A) Computed tomographic (CT) scan of a patient with an anterior ethmoid artery (AEA) lying below the skull base. This coronal CT shows the left AEA on a mesentery, leaving the orbit between the medial rectus and superior oblique muscles. (B) Coronal CT scan showing the posterior ethmoid artery (PEA) on the skull base at the level of the posterior ethmoids. (C) Parasagittal CT showing the AEA lying well below the skull base in the ethmoid sinus (black arrow). The PEA is not as clearly seen (white arrow), but it is lying in its usual position at the junction of the posterior ethmoids and front face of the sphenoid. (D) Axial CT showing the AEA as it exits the orbit.

Sixteen percent of AEAs are found to be in a mesentery and dehiscent and therefore at significant risk of traumatic injury in endoscopic sinus surgery.

These arteries also supply the meninges of the anterior cranial fossa and can be considerably enlarged in the presence of meningiomas and other tumors arising in this region.

The crucial external landmark is the frontoethmoid suture line :

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  The AEA is approximately 24 mm posterior to the anterior lacrimal crest along the frontoethmoid suture line.

  
  
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  The PEA lies approximately 12 mm farther posterior to the AEA along the frontoethmoid suture line.

  
  
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  The optic nerve is approximately 6 mm posterior to the PEA.

Complete exposure of the skull base is required for identification and endoscopic endonasal ligation. Tumor debulking and a complete sphenoethmoidectomy are required to achieve this exposure. The exposure is further aided by an endoscopic modified Lothrop procedure.

For epistaxis, use of an endoscopic approach, which requires significant sinus dissection for exposure and places the skull base at risk, seems unnecessary purely to avoid the small external scar associated with an external incision.

0-degree and 30-degree endoscopes

Lens washer (e.g., Endo-Scrub 2 [Medtronic ENT], Jacksonville, Florida)

Routine functional endoscopic sinus surgery instruments (ball-tip probe, microdébrider, straight and angled cutting and grasping instruments)

3.2-mm diamond bur or dacrocystorhinostomy (DCR) bur (Medtronic ENT)

Wormald Suction Bipolar Forceps (Medtronic ENT)

Malleable suction curette (Wormald Malleable Frontal Sinus Surgery Instrument Set [Medtronic ENT])

Vascular clips

For open AEA and PEA ligation, additional instruments include the following:

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  Scalpel with a No. 15 blade

  
  
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  Freer elevator

  
  
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  Thin, malleable retractors

  
  
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  Standard head and neck bipolar forceps