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Morphology and morphometry of the foramen venosum: a radiographic study of CBCT images and literature review

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Abstract

Purpose

The goal of this study was to assess the morphological variations, location, and morphometric measurements of the foramen venosum (FV) and analyse its interrelationships with other foramina on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans.

Methods

A total of 269 individual CBCT scans were evaluated retrospectively. The presence or absence of FVs and their diameter, shape, and confluence to foramen ovale were recorded. The distances between anatomic structures and the FV were calculated. Appropriate statistical analysis was performed for the collected data.

Results

Of the 269 cases studied, nine were excluded due to duplicate foramina that made statistical analysis difficult. In the 260 evaluated scans, the FV was identified in 190 individuals (73.1%). The incidence was 148 (56.9%) on the right side and 152 (58.5%) on the left side. The FV was present unilaterally in 80 (30.8%) and bilaterally in 110 (42.3%) out of the 260 individuals. The mean maximum diameter of FV was 1.75 ± 1.27 mm, and no significant differences related to gender and age were detected (p < 0.05). The most prevalent foramen shape was the oval type (45.9% on the right side and 40.8% on the left side).

Conclusion

FV is a very frequent anatomical variation. This foramen can exist either bilaterally or unilaterally. No significant differences related to sex, side, or age could be found in the present study. The anatomic characteristics of FV should be considered during interventions in the middle cranial fossa. CBCT imaging with lower radiation doses and thin slices may prove useful before surgical skull-base procedures.

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Abbreviations

CBCT:

Cone-beam computed tomography

CC:

Carotid canal

CT:

Computed tomography

ESFO:

Emissary sinus of foramen ovale

FO:

Foramen ovale

FOV:

Field of view

FR:

Foramen rotundum

FS:

Foramen spinosum

FV:

Foramen venosum

PPF:

Pterygopalatine fossa

VC:

Vidian canal

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Acknowledgements

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Funding

This study received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Bursa Uludağ University, 16059, Bursa, Turkey

    Cansu Görürgöz

  2. Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey

    Candan Semra Paksoy

Authors
  1. Cansu Görürgöz
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Contributions

All the authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by CG. The first draft of the manuscript was written by CG and all the authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All the authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Cansu Görürgöz.

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Ethical approval

This study was performed in accordance with the Institutional Ethical Review Board of Ankara University, Faculty of Dentistry approved the study with decision number: 13/11 (Ref: 36290600/03), and the study followed the Declaration of Helsinki on medical protocol and ethics.

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Görürgöz, C., Paksoy, C.S. Morphology and morphometry of the foramen venosum: a radiographic study of CBCT images and literature review. Surg Radiol Anat 42, 779–790 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-020-02450-6

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