The Size and Shape of the Porus Trigeminus: Implications for Trigeminal Neuralgia Procedures

Abstract

Trigeminal neuralgia is characterized by debilitating facial pain. The treatment for trigeminal neuralgia often involves the introduction of a surgical tool through the foramen ovale and porus trigeminus (PT). Though several studies have recently described the anatomy of the foramen ovale, few have described the PT. This study analyzed 53 PT for area, height, width, and circularity among both left‐ and right‐sided PT from females and males. There were no statistically significant differences in the area, height, width, and circularity of the PT between sexes (U=258, p=0.42; U=255, p=0.38; U=298, p=0.99; U=295.5, p=0.95). Similarly, paired t‐tests revealed no significant differences between sides with regard to area (t=1.35; p=0.19) and height (t=0.40; p=0.69). However, there were significant differences between sides with regard to width (t=2.19; p=0.04) and circularity (t=3.38; p=0.003). The average left‐sided PT width was 6.6±2.4mm (Mean±SD) whereas the average right‐sided PT width was 7.7±1.6mm. With regard to surgical implications, right‐sided PT may provide slightly greater freedom with regard to the angle of approach to the PT.Support or Funding InformationFunding: WV Research Challenge Fund [HEPC.dsr.17.06]This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.