RESUMEN
Variations in the shape of foramen magnum can affect the normal anatomy of vital structures passing through it. Therefore, it is of interest to evaluate the various shapes of foramen magnum by using CT scans performed in patients of Indian population to establish clinical correlation. A total of 314 CT images of human skull base obtained from the Department of Radio-diagnosis, Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan were used in the present study. All the patients' CT scans were observed to determine the shape of foramen magnum. They were classified into one of the following shapes: Oval, round, tetragonal, egg shaped, hexagonal, pentagonal and irregular. The shapes of the foramen magnum in CT scans were oval in 39.09%, round in 22.61%, tetragonal in 12.10%, hexagonal in 10.51%, irregular in 7.96%, pentagonal in 5.41% and egg shaped in 1.59% CT images. Data shows that it is easy to operate at the base of skull in case of round, oval and hexagonal shape foramen magnum, as the working space is more in these shapes.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Dermatoglyphics and bronchial asthma (BA) are both influenced by genetic factors. Hence, we assessed the diagnostic potential of correlation between fingerprint pattern and BA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out in out-patient Department of Pulmonary Medicine of All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhopal. It included 36 patients of BA and 50 nonasthmatic individuals as controls. The following parameters were studied and analyzed: (a) Whorls, (b) arches, (c) radial loops, (d) ulnar loops, (e) the absolute finger ridge count (AFRC), (f) total finger ridge count (TFRC). RESULTS: A significant decrease in the mean value of the arches and increase in the mean value of the ulnar loops were observed in BA patients compared to the control group. The mean values of TFRC, AFRC, and whorls were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Evaluation of dermatoglyphic patterns may be useful in identifying patients prone to developing BA.