A Morphometric Analysis of the Foramen Ovale and the Zygomatic Points Determined by a Computed Tomography in Patients with Idiopathic Trigeminal Neuralgia

Hwang, Sung Hyuk; Lee, Myung Ki; Park, June Woo; Lee, Jae Eon; Cho, Chang Won; Kim, Dae Jo

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to measure the dimensions of foramen ovale and to localize the zygomatic point using computed tomography(CT) in Korean adults with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia. METHODS: Facial axial CT scans using the orbitomeatal plane were performed in 67patients (39males and 28females; mean age 58.8years) with idiopathic classic trigeminal neuralgia. We measured the size of the foramen ovale and localized the zygomatic point which was a skin marker over the ipsilateral zygoma that approximates the lateral projection of a straight line joining the centers of the two foramen ovale. RESULTS: The axial dimensions of the foramen ovale on the orbitomeatal plane were of average length: 8.18+/-0.82mm (range 6.9~11.5mm), width: 4.06+/-0.86mm (2.5~5.7mm). The average distance between the external acoustic meatus and the zygomatic point was 21.64+/-1.99mm (16.3~25.0mm) and the average distance of anterior margin of condylar process of mandible to zygomatic point was 4.29+/-1.19mm (1.0~7.0mm). CONCLUSION: The anatomical understandings including the size of the foramen ovale and localization of the zygomatic point could be helpful in determining a plan of percutaneous approaches to foramen ovale.