Surface Area Of Foramen Magnum Research Articles

Evaluating Foramen Magnum Surface Area in Males and Females for Morphological Differences Using 3D Computed Tomography Among Maharashtrian Population

resist decomposition for a long period. The foramen magnum, which is located at the cranial base, is also a good parameter for identifications with reasonable accuracy. The surface area of the foramen magnum can be calculated using 3D reconstructed computer tomography of the head to assess the morphological differences in males and females, which is useful in forensic sciences.Objectives: To measure the antero-posterior length of the foramen magnum, the transverse diameter of the foramen magnum, the surface area of foramen magnum in males and females and to compare surface area of male and female foramen magnum to find morphological difference.Method: CT scan was performed in 40 patients (20+20) in two groups consist male and female, using SIEMENCE SOMATOM 16 SLICE machine, in patients referred to Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital for CT head scan with 3D skull. Scan will include the vertex to C3, received images then reconstructed into 3D images. From the 3D images the foramen magnum was measured; anterior-posterior, transverse and surface area in two groups of patients includes males and female. Teixeria’s and Radinsky’s formulae was used. Descriptive analysis to measure area of foramen magnum. Independent sample T test to determine any significant difference between male and female foramen magnum area and Discriminant analysis.Result: 70% of original group cases were correctly classified using the derived dataConclusion: foramen magnum can be used in forensic science as gender determination tool in the case where other identifying methods are inconclusive and modern imaging technology can be very useful.

Morphometric Analysis of Posterior Fossa and Foramen Magnum among Pediatric Age Group 6 to 16 Years

Background Configuration and size of the foramen magnum and posterior cranial fossa plays an important role in the pathophysiology of various disorders like Chiari malformations, basilar invagination etc. Thus, a fundamental knowledge of normal anatomy of this region is important to the clinician for diagnosis and treatment. However, we couldn’t find any anatomical study related to the concerned topic among the pediatric population aged 6 to 16 years in Nepal to the best of our knowledge.
 Objective To attain the baseline results (volume of bony part of posterior cranial fossa and the surface area of foramen magnum) that will help in the better diagnosis, classification, and treatment of diseases related to posterior fossa and craniovertebral junction and serve as a future reference defining an anatomic range in our region.
 Method This is a retrospective prospective observational study conducted from 1st February 2021 to 31st January 2022 at Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital, Kavrepalanchowk, Nepal. We used convenient sampling technique to fulfil our sample size. We considered 68 patients, who got recruited either from our emergency and OPD departments and were fulfilling our criteria of inclusion. Upon the recruitment, 68 consecutive head CT scan of pediatric patients with normal reports (without any bony or soft-tissue abnormality) were studied. Volume of the posterior fossa was calculated with the help of inbuilt “advanced work station - 3D volume calculator” program in 128 slices - SOMATOM PERSPECTIVE CT Scanner from Siemens, Germany. The area of the foramen magnum was calculated using formula πr2, where r is average radius calculated from obtained antero-posterior and transverse diameter.
 Result The age of the patients ranged between 6 and 16 years with the mean age of 10.56 ± 3.38 years with male to female distribution of 1: 1.125. The mean volume of the posterior fossa was 165.61 ± 8.52 mm3. The mean AP diameter, transverse diameter, and the surface area of foramen magnum were 3.31 ± 0.12 mm, 2.72 ± 0.12 mm, and 28.60 ± 0.09 mm2 respectively.
 Conclusion Normal ranges of volume of posterior cranial fossa and various dimensions and surface area of foramen magnum of pediatric population were determined using CT scans, which could serve as future reference in Nepal.

Foramen magnum, occipital condyles and hypoglossal canals morphometry: anatomical study with clinical implications.

Current study examines morphometric alterations of the foramen magnum (FM), occipital condyles (OCs) and hypoglossal canals (HCs) and highlights all the morphometric parameters of the FM area that present side asymmetry, gender dimorphism and are affected by the ageing. One hundred and forty-one (73 male and 68 female) Greek adult dry skulls were examined. Short and long OCs were detected in 27.7% and 26.2%. A combination of short OCs and long HCs was presented in 27.5%. A complete septum was found in 23.6% of the HCs and osseous spurs in 12.9%. Side asymmetry was detected regarding the HCs length (p = 0.046), the maximum extracranial (p = 0.001) and minimum intracranial (p = 0.001) diameters. Mean FM anteroposterior and transverse diameters, FM perimeter and FM surface area were significantly larger in male than in female skulls (p = 0.001 for each parameter). Similarly, the OCs length (right, p = 0.004 and left, p = 0.024) and width (right, p = 0.008 and left, p = 0.006) the left distance HC-OC posterior border (p = 0.048), the anterior (p = 0.011) and posterior (p = 0.001) intercondylar distances and the HCs right length (p = 0.046) were significantly greater in males. A significant decrease was observed with ageing in FM anteroposterior diameter (p = 0.038), FM surface area (p = 0.05), anterior intercondylar distance (p = 0.014) and HC-OC posterior border (p = 0.013). The study confirmed that only specific HC dimensions showed side asymmetry (HCs maximum extracranial and minimum intracranial diameters and HCs length), gender dimorphism (HCs right length and left distance HC-OC posterior border) and age influence (HC-OC posterior border and HC left extracranial minimum diameter) among young, adults and elderly individuals. FM and OCs dimensions presented gender dimorphism and the age influenced only FM anteroposterior diameter and surface area and the anterior intercondylar distance. The safe zone of OCs drilling in Greeks, calculated by the distance HC-OC posterior border represents the maximum HC depth and is among the lowest values reported in the literature. The significant decrease of this distance with ageing confirms the existence of a drilling safe zone for young, adults and elder individuals. Regarding OCs length, the same probability exists dealing with a short or a long OC during condylectomy. Before planning a transcondylar approach, the coexistence of short OCs and long HCs should be taken into account. These outcomes will be useful for a safe surgery in the craniocervical region in Greeks.

Analysis of morphology of foramen magnum in Indian population

IntroductionThe foramen magnum is a unique and complex neuroanatomical structure. This is an important landmark of the skull base for neurosurgical procedures. The aim of this study is to analyze the morphometry pertaining to variations of the shapes and sizes of foramen magnum separately for males and females of Indian population along with comparing antero-posterior and transverse diameters available in literature and to bring out associated clinical implications. MethodsThirty-five dry skulls (13 females and 22 males) have been examined for morphometric variations of foramen magnum. The surface area of foramen magnum was calculated manually using graphical method. The importance of morphometry and clinical significance of foramen magnum has been established by available literature. ResultsMean antero-posterior diameter and transverse diameter of foramen magnum are 33.8±02.5mm and 28.2±02.6mm, respectively. The minimum, maximum and mean areas of foramen magnum in assorted skulls are 434mm2, 902mm2 and 648.5±112.2mm2, respectively. Foramen magnum index in assorted skulls vary from 1 to 1.45. DiscussionThe dimensions of foramen magnum, separately for males and females in the Indian population, have been analyzed for the first time. This analysis will be of paramount importance for clinicians in surgical procedures around this region.

Morphometric study of Foramen Magnum at the base of human skull in South Gujarat

The foramen Magnum is a large opening in the occipital bone of the cranium. The dimensions of the foramen magnum are clinically important because vital structures passing through it may endure compression such as in cases of foramen magnum herniation, foramen Magnum meningiomas and foramen magnum achondroplasia. We studied one hundred dry, adult human skull of unknown sex and measured antero- posterior and transverse diameter with the help of vernier caliper. Additionally surface area of foramen magnum was also calculated. The mean antero-posterior diameter of the foramen magnum was 40.2mm(range 26-40mm) and the transverse diameter was 28.29mm(range 21.5-33.5mm). The mean surface area of foramen magnum was 755.37mm.The knowledge of dimensions of foramen magnum will be helpful radiological diagnostic procedures and neurosurgical procedures to approach in the region of Foramen Magnum. Considering above mentioned importance, this study is worthwhile. The foramen Magnum(FM) (Latin: 'great hole') is a large opening in the occipital bone of the cranium. Its transverse diameter is rather less than one third of the distance between the mastoid processes. The anterior border of the foramen magnum is formed by basilar process of the occipital bone, the lateral border by the left and right ex- occipitalis and posterior border is formed by the

Relation between Intracranial Volume and the Surface Area of the Foramen Magnum

Several investigators have estimated the intracranial volume (ICV) in the past which indirectly reflects the brain volume. Most of these studies have been made on the dry skulls using linear dimensions, packing methods or occasionally radiological methods. It is also reported that the etiology of cerebellar tonsillar herniation is closely related to the size of the foramen magnum (FM). In the present study the ICVs have been estimated in 28 dry skulls using filling water method and the surface area of FMs were measured planimetry method. The estimated mean ICV was 1,311 +/- 133 cm. Surface area of FM was 760 +/- 144 mm. Antero-posterior and lateral direct roentgenograms of the skulls were also taken and the width, height and length (WHL) of the skull were measured by means of the cephalometry on radiograms. The relationship between the ICV, WHL and surface area of FM were analyzed statistically. The ICV, WHL and surface area of FM was correlated well (r = 0.271, P < 0.005; r = 0.265, P < 0.005, respectively) and a regression formula was proposed. Our results showed that skulls with larger ICV and WHL have larger FM surface area. We also suggested a regression formula that could be used to predict the surface area of FM regarding to the ICV and WHL values. In the next step, we took roentgenograms of skulls and obtain ICV measuring the width, length and height of skulls by means of cephalometry and investigate the relation between the findings of cephalometry and surface area of FM. The cephalometry could apply on living subjects and, thereby, our findings could provide some data to evaluate the etiology of Arnold Chiari malformation and achondroplasia for living subjects.