THE ANATOMICAL AND MEASUREMENT STUDY OF ROSENMÜLLER FOSSA AND OROPHARYNGEAL STRUCTURES USING CONE BEAM COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess Rosenmüller fossa (RF) anatomy and neighboring structures using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). A total of 1000 patients were analyzed using CBCT. The reference points were based on the spina nasalis posterior (Snp) and basion. The length between RF and neighboring structures were measured.The mean distance from Snp to the posterior pharyngeal wall was 17.7 mm. The mean distance from right to left torus levatorius was 25.69 mm. The mean depth of right RF was 5.54 mm while the mean depth of left RF was 5.26 mm. RF, also described as the lateral pharyngeal recess, is a source location of nasopharyngeal carcinoma development. Its location is on the lateral pharyngeal wall posterior to the cartilaginous part of the eustachian tube, the torus tubarius. The knowledge of RF is important to diagnose and perform treatment planning of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.