Original Article

Vol. 15 No. 2 (2019): The Journal of International Advanced Otology

Morphometric Assessment of the Carotid Foramen for Lateral Surgical Approach

Main Article Content

Osman Erdoğan
Turan Koç
Gülden Kayan
Vural Hamzaoğlu
Engin Kara
Yusuf Vayisoğlu
Ahmet Dağtekin
Ahmet Hakan Öztürk
Derya Ümit Talas
Hakan Özalp
Orhan Beger

Abstract

Abstract

 



OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the right and left sides of the carotid foramen (CF) to determine its precise location according to certain anatomical landmarks.



 



MATERIALS and METHODS: Twenty human dry skulls were included in the study. A digital caliper and a digital image analysis software were used to obtain direct anatomical numerical values. Then, the same parameters on dry skulls were assessed with computed tomography (CT).



 



RESULTS: CF was found to be round shaped (62.5%), oval shaped (32.5%), and tear-drop shaped (5%). In all cases, the position of CF was seen as just postero-laterally of the foramen lacerum. According to the jugular foramen, CF was seen to be anterior in 85% and antero-medial in 15% of the cases. Regarding the morphometric values of the surface area, the length and width of CF were observed to be 37.86±11.24 mm2, 8.02±1.09 mm, and 6.86±0.90 mm at direct anatomical measurements and 39.69±10.07 mm2, 7.89±1.14 mm, and 6.41±0.90 mm at CT, respectively. The angles between the supramastoid crest-CF-zygoma root and the supramastoid crest-CF-mastoid process were determined as 37.11±6.87º and 42.22±6.40º at direct anatomical measurements and 36.59±4.94º and 43.71±4.55º at CT, respectively.



 



CONCLUSION: A significant difference in sides was not observed in relation with the numerical data of CF obtained from CT or from direct anatomical measurements of dry skulls. Moreover, a significant difference was not found between radiological and direct anatomical measurements. Therefore, precise radiological assessment of this region by an experienced neuroradiologist may be assumed as a fundamental need for successful surgeries of the skull base, in addition to thorough anatomical knowledge of neurootologists and neurosurgeons.



 



Cite this article as: Özalp H, Beger O, Erdoğan O, Koç T, Kayan G, Hamzaoğlu V, et al. Morphometric Assessment of the Carotid Foramen for Lateral Surgical Approach. J Int Adv Otol 2019; 15(2): 222-8.


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