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

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. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr Seval Bayrak, PhD, Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey; E-mail: dtseval@hotmail.com Received 1 November, 2017 Accepted 1 February, 2018 The authors report no conflicts of interest. © 2018 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD.

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