The aim of this study was to define the incidence and classify locations of accessory spleen using CT in a large Turkish population and to compare our findings with earlier studies performed in other populations.Methods: A total of 930 patients were included in the study and evaluated retrospectively using CT. The CT images were obtained using Philips Ingenuity 128 slice computerized tomography device.Results: 930 patients (413 females, 44.4%; 517 males, 55.6%) who underwent CT imaging for various indications were included in this study. Out of these, 55 had an accessory spleen (5.9%), and four had polysplenia. Most common location of accessory spleen was hilum (49.9%) followed by the gastrosplenic ligament (21.81%), infrasplenic area (18.18%), pancreatic tail (3.64%), splenorenal ligament (3.64%) and suprasplenic area (3.64%). Conclusion:Accessory spleen is a common variation encountered in the abdominal cavity. Most and least common locations of this variation should be well known to prevent radiologic misdiagnosis and surgical complications.

Asterion is the junction of lambdoid, parietomastoid and occipitomastoid sutures and it corresponds to the location of the posterolateral fontanelle. It is close related to the location of junction of transverse and sigmoid sinuses. Mastoid process, posterior end of zygomatic arch, external occipital protuberance and lambda are bony features in close proximity of asterion. In the present study we measured the distance between asterion and each of aforementioned bony points. Twenty human dry skulls were included in this study. Distance between asterion and mastoid process was 43.65 ± 6.75 mm on the left side and 45.01± 6.04mm on the right side. Distance between asterion and posterior end of zygomatic arch was 43.97 ± 7.37 mm on the left side and 43.95± 7.02 mm on the right side. Distance between asterion and external occipital protuberance was 62.59 ± 8.83 mm on the left side and 54.75 ±5.57mm on the right side. Distance between asterion and lambda was 81.40 ± 7.36 mm on the left side and 82 ± 4.96 mm on the right side. In 84 % of the cases asterion was at the junction of transverse and sigmoid sinuses. In 12% of the cases asterion was below the junction of transverse and sigmoid sinuses. In 4 % of the cases asterion was above the junction of transverse and sigmoid sinuses. Asterion is the essential point to indicate safety zone for surgical approach and to determine sex and age. It is of great interest of anatomists, anthropologists, forensic experts, radiologists and neurosurgeons

Aim: Morphometry of the external auditory canal was not previously studied among the normal population in the literature. In this study we aimed to indicate normal values and age, gender, and side related changes of the external auditory canal of healthy individuals. Methods: Computed Tomography (CT) images of 379 patients were evaluated in this cross-sectional study. Two diameters at three points were measured on sagittal images for each side: First point was at the level of the tympanic membrane where chorda tympani leaves the bony canal. The height (1a) and width (1b) were measured from the ground where the cylindrical view of EAC was most prominent. The second point was at isthmus level, where height (2a) and width (2b) were measured. The third point was the most lateral site of external auditory canal (EAC) at the level of the tympanomastoid suture where height (3a) and width (3b) were measured. Age, gender, and side related changes for each measurement were statistically analyzed. Results: The diameter of each point in each direction was similar between the left and right sides. The median diameter of left 1a was 9.4 mm in males and 9.2 mm in females, which was significantly different. The "a" diameter of each point was higher in males than females for both sides. There was no significant difference between males and females in terms of b diameters. Diameter 1b was higher on the left side compared to the right side for females, while left-right side comparisons for other measurements were similar. None of the diameters differed between the left and right sides for males. Conclusion: Normal measurements of EAC diameters and its age, sex and side related changes are important for surgeons, radiologists, and anatomists. Proper evaluation of EAC is critical for transcanal endoscopic ear surgery and early diagnosis of a pathology impairing the anatomy of EAC on radiologic images.

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Aim: Modiolus is a dense, mobile fibromuscular structure lateral to the mouth corner. It is of great importance in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. The aim of this study was to enlighten the structural changes in modiolus with demographic variables such as age and gender in living individuals. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted on MR images of healthy individuals. Age and sex-related changes in modiolus level and volume were retrospectively analyzed in 64 patients [37M; 27F; mean age 48.2(16.3)] who underwent head and neck magnetic resonance imaging. ROC analysis was performed to determine the cut off values for age of modiolus. Correlation analysis (Pearson and point biserial correlation) was used to determine whether there was a significant correlation between age and volume. Significance of the differences between the volumes of right and left modiolus of the same individual were evaluated by dependent t tests. Results: The mean volume of the modiolus was calculated as 0.51(0.26) mm 3. The volumes of right and left modioli decreased by aging. Ninety-one percent of the patients with modioli located inferior to horizontal line were over 49 years old. Right and left modioli relocated inferior to horizontal line with age. Modiolus volume was prominently less in women and the downward displacement of modiolus in women was 3.3 times higher than in men. Gender and age had significant effects on modiolus level. The right and left modiolus volumes were similar (P=0.975). Conclusion: Surgeon's knowledge on modiolus and its relations will provide benefit, not only for the procedures such as face lifting and botulinum toxin injection, but also for the surgeries of facial paralysis and trauma patients.