Prevalence of cervical ribs and elongated transverse processes in Omani population: a computed tomography-based study.

INTRODUCTION: Cervical ribs are the supernumerary ribs that usually arise from the seventh cervical vertebra. Ethnic and geographical variations in cervical ribs and elongated transverse processes have been reported. Therefore, we aimed to study the prevalence of cervical ribs and elongated transverse processes and morphometry of cervical ribs in Omani subjects using computed tomography (CT). METHODS: A total of 1165 consecutive patients' CT scans of the cervical spine who had visited the tertiary care hospital from January 2016 to December 2020 were included in the study. The CT scans were screened for cervical ribs and elongated C7 transverse processes. Fisher's exact test was used to determine the gender influence. RESULTS: Cervical ribs were identified in 0.94% of patients with a male-to-female ratio of 0.37:1. Most cervical ribs were unilateral (54%). The elongated C7 transverse process was identified in 18.45% of patients, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.36:1. Female patients are more likely to have cervical ribs (effect size = 5.98, 95% CI = 1.58-22.6, p = 0.005) than male patients. In contrast, the elongated C7 transverse process is more frequent in males (effect size = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.34-2.47, p < 0.001). The length and width of the cervical ribs are presented. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of cervical ribs in Omani subjects is close to that of accepted prevalence worldwide. However, the elongated C7 transverse process prevalence is comparatively high and close to the Saudi population.

Radiologic Assessment of Orbital Dimensions among Omani Subjects: A computed tomography imaging-based study at a single tertiary centre.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the orbital dimensions of Omani subjects who had been referred for computed tomography (CT) of the brain at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman. Good knowledge of the normal orbital dimensions is clinically essential for successful surgical outcomes. Racial, ethnic and regional variations in the orbital dimensions have been reported. Methods: A total of 273 Omani patients referred for CT scans of the brain were retrospectively evaluated using an electronic medical records database. The orbital dimensions were recorded using both axial and sagittal planes of CT images. Results: The mean orbital index (OI) was found to be 83.25 ± 4.83 mm and the prevalent orbital type was categorised as the mesoseme. The mean orbital index was 83.34 ± 5.05 mm and 83.16 ± 4.57 mm in males and females, respectively, with their difference not being statistically significant (P = 0.76). However, a statistically significant association was observed between the right and left orbits regarding horizontal distance (P <0.05) and vertical distance (P <0.01) of orbit and OI (P <0.05). No significant difference between the OI and age groups was observed in males and females. The mean interorbital distance and interzygomatic distance were found to be 19.45 ± 1.52 mm and 95.59 ± 4.08 mm, respectively. These parameters were significantly higher in males (P <0.05). Conclusion: Results of the present study provide reference values of orbital dimensions in Omani subjects. Mesoseme, a hallmark of Caucasian people, is discovered to be the prevalent orbital type of Omani subjects.