Evaluation of the Foramen Magnum Area Calculated by Different Methods: A Radioanatomic Study

Abstract

Purpose: The main objective of the study was to evaluate the probable diversity in the area of the foramen magnum (FM) calculated by different measuring methods. Methods: The study was conducted on 24 dry skulls, present in the collection of the Anatomy Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University. The area of FM was calculated by different measurement methods including automatic field setting, Teixeria and Radinsky formulas obtained from anatomic (ASM), photographic (PSM) and radiologic (RSM) skull measurements. Results: The areas of FMs calculated by Teixeria formula in RSM, PSM, and ASM were as follows: 857.96 ± 99.97 mm2, 796.68 ± 105.08 mm2, and 820.86 ± 96.40 mm2, respectively. The areas calculated by Radinsky formula in RSM, PSM, and ASM were as follows: 851.37 ± 99.68 mm2, 792.63 ± 104.18 mm2, and 814.85 ± 94.99 mm2, respectively. Lastly, the areas calculated by the automatic field setting of RSM and PSM software were as follows: 799.75 ± 103.38 mm2 and 752.83 ± 105.60 mm2, respectively. Conclusion: Statistical significance was observed between the areas of FM obtained from RSM, ASM, and PSM when calculated by the automatic field setting, Teixeria formula, and Radinsky formula. The authors think that considering the amorphous shape of FM, the automatic field setting of the software should be used to obtain the most accurate numerical data related to the area of FM.

Sex and Age Determination by Measurement of Foramen Magnum Dimensions on Computer Tomography Scanning Study in the Iranian Population

“…Foramen magnum will be used to play a fundamental role because of its ability to stay flawless in situations where the rest of the cranium has been at risk of injury. 11,24 In some special situations, such as earthquakes, plane crashes, explosions, Terrorist attacks etc. it is very important to determine the gender and the age of the casualties.…”

“…But various shapes studied in another articles are somewhat different. 11 For example in our study five different shapes (sphere, oval, pentagon, diamond, and hexagonal) for the FM were considered (as shown in Supplementary Digital Content, Table 1, http://links.lww.com/SCS/C545). But in this study, we could not find a significant difference on the shape of FM between males and females.…”

“…In forensic science, determination age is very difficult via incomplete or damaged skulls. Foramen magnum will be used to play a fundamental role because of its ability to stay flawless in situations where the rest of the cranium has been at risk of injury 11,24 …”

“…1,8 -10 The FM is a large oval hole through which the skull cavity is connected to the vertebral duct. 9,11,12 Foramen magnum measurement is used by neurosurgeons for appropriate treatment in Chiari I malformation and syringomyelia is used. Foramen magnum is the most prominent index in the base skull bone.…”

“…In addition to in addition to the item mentioned above, detailed information about the sex and age of the people is also available in the CT scan image archive 1,8–10 . The FM is a large oval hole through which the skull cavity is connected to the vertebral duct 9,11,12 …”