Clément Escalard1, Lise-Marie Roussel2, Michèle Hamon3, Apolline Kazemi4, Vincent Patron2, Martin Hitier2,5,6. 1. Department of Radiology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Caen, 14000, Caen, France. clement.escalard@gmail.com. 2. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Caen, 14000, Caen, France. 3. Department of Radiology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Caen, 14000, Caen, France. 4. Department of Radiology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, 59000, Lille, France. 5. Department of Anatomy, UNICAEN, 14032, Caen, France. 6. INSERM U 1075 COMETE, 14032, Caen, France.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Ethmoidal slit (ES) and cribroethmoidal foramen (CF) have been poorly studied, without any radiological description. They may ease cribriform plate's diseases. The objective was to describe the frequency, size, and computed tomography (CT) appearance of these foramina. METHODS: A two-part anatomoradiological study was performed: first on dry skulls using a surgical microscope and CT, second on patients CT scans. For each, foramina were searched for, described, and measured when possible. RESULTS: Thirteen dry macerated skulls were studied. The orbitomeatal plane was relevant for studying ES. With microscope, ES and CF were identified in, respectively, 92% and 100% of cases. Using CT, all ES and CF were visible, with a mean length and width of, respectively, 3.9 ± 1.7 mm and 0.9 ± 0.3 mm for ES and 1.6 ± 1 mm and 0.9 ± 0.3 mm for CF. CT scans from 153 patients were reviewed. ES and CF were identified in, respectively, 80% and 91% of cases, with a mean length and width of, respectively, 3.9 ± 0.8 mm and 0.8 ± 0.2 mm for ES. CONCLUSION: Large-sized ES was found frequently, and were clearly visible in patients CT scans. CF was markedly smaller, but seen in most patient scans. ES and CF could be areas of least resistance in the anterior part of the cribriform plate. CT might be helpful in understanding their pathological implications.
PURPOSE: Ethmoidal slit (ES) and cribroethmoidal foramen (CF) have been poorly studied, without any radiological description. They may ease cribriform plate's diseases. The objective was to describe the frequency, size, and computed tomography (CT) appearance of these foramina. METHODS: A two-part anatomoradiological study was performed: first on dry skulls using a surgical microscope and CT, second on patients CT scans. For each, foramina were searched for, described, and measured when possible. RESULTS: Thirteen dry macerated skulls were studied. The orbitomeatal plane was relevant for studying ES. With microscope, ES and CF were identified in, respectively, 92% and 100% of cases. Using CT, all ES and CF were visible, with a mean length and width of, respectively, 3.9 ± 1.7 mm and 0.9 ± 0.3 mm for ES and 1.6 ± 1 mm and 0.9 ± 0.3 mm for CF. CT scans from 153 patients were reviewed. ES and CF were identified in, respectively, 80% and 91% of cases, with a mean length and width of, respectively, 3.9 ± 0.8 mm and 0.8 ± 0.2 mm for ES. CONCLUSION: Large-sized ES was found frequently, and were clearly visible in patients CT scans. CF was markedly smaller, but seen in most patient scans. ES and CF could be areas of least resistance in the anterior part of the cribriform plate. CT might be helpful in understanding their pathological implications.
Entities:
Keywords:
Anatomy; Computed tomography; Cribriform plate; Ethmoid bone; Skull base
Authors: Kimia G Ganjaei; Zachary M Soler; Elliott D Mappus; Robert J Taylor; Mitchell L Worley; Jennifer K Mulligan; Jose L Mattos; Nicholas R Rowan; Guilherme J M Garcia; Judy R Dubno; Mark A Eckert; Lois J Matthews; Rodney J Schlosser Journal: Am J Rhinol Allergy Date: 2018-04-17 Impact factor: 2.467