Incidence of anomalous canals in the base of the skull: a retrospective radio-anatomical study using cone-beam computed tomography


Kaplan F., BAYRAKDAR İ. Ş., BİLGİR E.

SURGICAL AND RADIOLOGIC ANATOMY, vol.42, no.2, pp.171-177, 2020 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 42 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2020
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s00276-019-02307-7
  • Journal Name: SURGICAL AND RADIOLOGIC ANATOMY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE
  • Page Numbers: pp.171-177
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Purpose Several skull-base foramina including foramen meningo-orbitale, craniopharyngeal canals, canaliculus innominatus, foramen vesalius, palatovaginal canals, and canalis basalis medianus are visible on cone-beam computed tomographs. A good understanding of the anatomical variants of these foramina is important to accurately diagnose fractures, understand the paths that infections may take, and identify associated anomalies. We used cone-beam computed tomography to measure the incidences of skull-base foramen variants in a normal population. Methods A total of 350 subjects (200 females, 150 males, 6-30 years of age) were included. The prevalences of foramen meningo-orbitale, craniopharyngeal canals, canaliculus innominatus, foramina vesalius, palatovaginal canals, and canalis basalis medianus were evaluated by age and gender. Results Subject age ranged from 6 to 30 years (mean age +/- SD = 15.1 +/- 4.08). Foramen meningo-orbitale, craniopharyngeal canals, canaliculus innominatus, foramen vesalius, palatovaginal canal, and canalis basalis medianus were observed in 51 (14.6%), 19 (5.4%), 60 (17.1%), 145 (41.1%), 34 (9.7%), and 15 (4.3%) patients, respectively. Conclusions Skull-base foramina are important clinically and radiologically. Imaging of such variants via cone-beam computed tomography is valuable for both physicians and patients. Few studies of skull-base foramina have used cone-beam computed tomography. Additional research is required for a fuller understanding of this phenomenon.