Study of the sphenoid venous foramen in a Chilean population using three-dimensional imaging methods
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31051/1852.8023.v12.n2.28036Keywords:
Sphenoid bone, Computarized tomography, Vesalius foramen, Emissary veinAbstract
Introduction: The foramen venosum is an inconstant anatomical hole located at the cranial base, specifically at the greater wing of the sphenoid, anterior medial to the foramen ovale. It allows the passage of a sphenoid emissary vein, which connects the pterygoid plexus with the cavernous sinus. Its presence has been related to clinical complications in neurosurgical procedures and is a potential access route to infectious processes in the cranial cavity. Objective: Determine the prevalence and morphological characteristics of the foramen venosum analyzed by means of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Material and method: 126 CBCT of Chilean adults available in the Department of Anatomy of the Finis Terrae University were studied, in a statistical analysis where variations in the incidence, morphology, permeability and distance to other anatomical structures were observed: foramen spinosum, foramen ovale and midline. Results: The presence of the foramen venosum was observed in 19% of the population. 87.5% were found unilaterally and 12.5% bilaterally. 48.1% were rounded and 51.9% irregular. The average diameter was 2.2 mm, with 100% of them permeable. The average distances between the foramen venosum and the foramen ovale, the foramen spinosum and the midline were 1.72 mm, 10.14 mm and 19.7 mm. respectively. Conclusions: The foramen venosum appeared in 19% of the total, in an oval or irregular shape, anterior and medial to the foramen ovale, presenting mainly unilaterally. These anatomical characteristics of this foramen must be considered during neurosurgical interventions in the middle cranial fossa.
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