Investigation of Sphenoid Spine Morphometry for Skull Base Surgery and Relation to Foramen Spinosum Localization

Abstract

Purpose Our study aimed to investigate the sphenoid spine morphological characterization, as well as the distances to important surgical points and its relation to foramen spinosum localization. Methods On a total of 65 skulls, the distances of the sphenoid spine to articular tubercle, mastoid process, external opening of carotid canal, anterior edge of infratemporal crest, and the point where sphenosquamosus suture intersects with infratemporal crest were measured from both the right and left sides. The length of the sphenoid spine was measured and classified morphologically. Localization of foramen spinosum relation to sphenoid spine was evaluated. Results The sphenoid spine length was stastistically different which was found to be 6.71 ± 1.97 and 6.14 ± 1.93 on the rigt and left sides, respectively (p = 0.027). The most commonly encountered shape of the sphenoid spine on both sides was rectangular, followed by spine shape. The foramen spinosum was most frequently located anteromedially and least frequently located anterolaterally according to sphenoid spine. In our study, it was determined for the first time that the localization of the foramen spinosum is associated with the shape of the sphenoid spine on both the right (p = 0.012) and left (p = 0.016) sides. Conclusion Our study provides morphometric data on the sphenoid spine and reports the association between the localization of the foramen spinosum and the type of sphenoid spine. Sphenoid spine variations and their relationship with adjacent anatomical structures should be taken into consideration in middle cranial fossa surgeries.