A Morphometric Study of Stylomastoid Foramen with Its Clinical Applications

Abstract

Background To prevent damage to the facial nerve while doing surgery and to give facial nerve block by anesthetics near the stylomastoid foramen we should know its distance from the important anatomical landmarks. So, this study aims to study the location of stylomastoid with respect to nearby anatomical landmarks. Materials and Method The study was performed on 58 dry skulls. Measurements of stylomastoid foramen were taken from various anatomical landmarks on both sides of the skull. Data analysis was done by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 19 version. Results The mean distance of the center of the stylomastoid foramen (CSMF) to the tip of the mastoid process was 1.60, 1.57 cm on the right and left side, respectively. The mean distance of CSMF to the upper end of the anterior border of the mastoid process was 1.42, 1.39 cm on the right and left side, respectively. The mean angle between CSMF and tip of the mastoid process was 51.6 degrees, 53.5 degrees on right and left side, respectively. The mean distance of CSMF to the center of jugular foramen was 1.27, 1.26 cm on the right and left side, respectively. The position of the stylomastoid foramen in relation to a transverse line passing through the upper end of the anterior border of both mastoid processes was anterior in 82.7%, 94.8% of cases on the right and left side, respectively. Conclusion These measurements will aid neurosurgeons in doing surgeries near the stylomastoid foramen or anesthetics to give facial nerve block near the foramen.

Evaluation of the Morphometry of the Stylomastoid Foramen in the Turkish Population: A Retrospective Study Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)

“…These previous studies were managed with CT, MRI, three-dimensional models, and dry adult human skulls on the anatomy and the morphometric features of the SMF and FC. [1][2][3][4]7,8,[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] Although CT is the primary imaging technique of the temporal bone, the concept of CBCT seems particularly appropriate for high-density structures. Its spatial resolution is much better than CT and allows significantly lower radiation dose than conventional CT. CBCT provides axial, coronal, and sagittal images, whereas conventional CT can only obtain axial sections.…”

“…Morphometric studies on SMF and FC were performed using dry adult skulls [1][2][3][4]7,[10][11][12][13], three-dimensional models [14], medical computed tomography (CT) [8,15,16], and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) [17] up to date. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) which is increasingly used in dentistry today, has the potential to become the main imaging method for the temporal bone and adjacent structures.…”

“…These previous studies were managed with CT, MRI, three-dimensional models, and dry adult human skulls on the anatomy and the morphometric features of the SMF and FC [1][2][3][4]7,8,[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. Although CT is the primary imaging technique of the temporal bone, the concept of CBCT seems particularly appropriate for high-density structures.…”