Ct Evaluation Of Variations In The Middle Cranial Fossa Foramina: A Potential Guide For Skull Base Surgery

Objectives: To evaluate and classify the variations of foramen ovale (FO), foramen spinosum (FS).Methods: Six hundred fifty-eight computed tomographies (CTs) were evaluated by 2 observers. Foramen ovale was classified as oval, almond, round, and slit-like. Duplication, absence, and confluence for FS were noted. Bony outgrowths were categorized as tubercule, bony plate, and spine.Results: Oval shaped FO was the most common subgroup. Most common FS variation was the confluence with FO. Of bony outgrowths, tubercule-shaped were the most common type and spine-shaped ones were the least. Substantial agreement for bony plate and tubercule, almost excellent agreement for all the other parameters were found between 2 observers.Conclusions: Foramen ovale called lobulated and had not classified previously was described in this study. Computed tomography is a reliable tool for anatomical evaluation of FO and FS, which would effect the methods of middle cranial fossa surgery. Thus, radiologists should be a pathfinder about the variations of these structures.