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

Abstract

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the morphometric features of the stylomastoid foramen and the facial canal in the Turkish population using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) retrospectively. Methods The randomly selected 479 patients aged from 8 to 87 years were examined, and a total of 958 CBCT images of the stylomastoid foramen (SMF) and facial canal (FC) were analyzed. The diameter of the SMF and FC at the mastoid segment and their relation to age, gender, and side were evaluated. Statistical analyzes were performed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Student’s t-test, chi-squared test, Tukey’s HSD, and Fisher Freeman Halton exact test. P values <0.05 were accepted as statistically significant at the 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results The mean age of the patients was 40.49±19.73 years. The mean diameter of the right SMF was 2,24±0,58 mm, and 2,50±0,63 mm in females, and males. The mean diameter of the left SMF was 2,25±0,56 mm, and 2,44±0,62 mm in females, and males. The mean diameter of the right FC was 1.60±0,35 mm, and 1.70±0,34 mm in females, and males. The mean diameter of left FC was 1,55±0,35 mm, and 1,66±0,33 mm in females, and males. A statistically significant difference was found between the age groups in terms of the mean SMF and FC diameter on both sides (p<0.05). Conclusion Information obtained from this study regarding the morphometric features of the SMF and thereby FC may assist surgeons in treatment plans and reduce the risk of neuro-surgical complications.

Study of Topography of Stylomastoid Foramen With Respect to Nearby Landmarks to Carry Out Facial Nerve Block With Minimum Complications

“…Here, the investigators correlated morphologic variations of SMF with clinical significance. In addition, in one recent study, authors estimated the morphometry of SMF involving the diameter of SMF and also added associated clinical implications 12 . But, there is a paucity of literature describing the topography of stylomastoid foramen from surrounding anatomic landmarks.…”