Anatomic Study on Sphenoidal Emissary Foramen by Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this retrospective study is to evaluate the radiologic anatomy of sphenoidal emissary foramen (SEF) by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. METHODS: Three hundred seventeen (189 female and 128 male) full-head CBCT images were evaluated in this study. Incidence, diameter, shape, confluence to foramen ovale, and distance to anatomic structures of SEF were noted. RESULTS: In the 317 analyzed images, the SEF was identified in 89 (28.1%) images. Of these, 67 (21.1%) were unilateral, 22 were (6.9%) bilateral. The maximum mean diameter of SEF was measured 2.66 mm on the right side and 2.82 mm on the left side (P = 0.16). The most observed SEF shape was oval with the incidence of 68.5% (P ≤ 0.05). Confluence was observed in 23.4% of SEF whereof 84.6% were in the left side (P ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: Observations in this study tender new anatomic parameters regarding SEF incidence, characteristics, and distances to proximate anatomic structures. Knowledge related to SEF variations will be helpful for neurosurgeons and radiologist.