Anatomical Variations of Foramen Rotundum and Its Clinical Significance in Gujarat Region - A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Foramen rotundum is present in the greater sphenoidal wing just below and behind medial end of superior orbital fissure. It leads forwards into pterygopalatine fossa and transmits maxillary division of trigeminal nerve.

Aim: The present study is aimed to study the anatomy and variations of foramen rotundum in dried adult human skulls of Gujarat region.

Material and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in total 153 dry adult human skulls and 20 intact dry sphenoid bones obtained from various medical colleges of Gujarat region. Appropriate statistical analysis was done by SPSS software version 14. p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:  All 153 skulls and 20 sphenoid bones showed the bilateral presence of foramen rotundum. The mean maximum dimension (breadth along transverse axis of the foramen) of the foramen was 2.74±0.90 mm on right side and 2.70±0.82 mm on left side. The shape of the foramen was found to be circular in all the skulls studied. Foramen rotundum was found duplicated in two skulls (0.01%). Accessory foramina adjacent to the foramen rotundum were seen in two skulls and in one intact sphenoid bone on right side (0.017%).

Conclusion: This study is helpful to neurosurgeons because a sound knowledge regarding anatomy and variations of the foramen rotundum is prerequisite in endonasal surgeries for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia and carcinoma of nasopharyngeal region and brain.