Unreported variant foramen of the frontal bone: the latero-orbital foramen.

Abstract

Variant foramina of the skull can lead to misdiagnosis on medical imaging and potentially, intraoperative complications if not appreciated. Here, we report an unusual foramen found superior to the frontozygomatic suture. The foramen was located on the left side at the superolateral rim of the orbit, 2.36cm inferolateral to the supraorbital foramen. It was positioned 2.5mm superior to the frontozygomatic suture. The foramen had a length of 3.1mm and a width of 1.3mm. The internal opening of the foramen was located 1.45cm superolateral to the zygomaticotemporal foramen. We suggest that this foramen is a pathway for either a branch of the zygomatic nerve or lacrimal nerve and/or their vascular bundles. Although the prevalence of such a finding cannot be confirmed, such a case is of archival value as a comparison for future similar cases.