Prevalence of the Caroticoclinoid Foramen in Brazilian Dry Skulls

Abstract

Introduction: The Caroticoclinoid Foramen (CCF) is a variation found in the sphenoid. It gives passage to the internal carotid artery and it is a surgically significant structure when dealing with the cavernous sinus. There is debate, however, regarding its prevalence, especially in populations from South America. Aim: To assess the prevalence and size of the CCF in a Brazilian sample. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out for a period of 10 months during March 2019 and January 2020. The present study was conducted in 365 dry human skulls from two Universities in the Southeast region of Brazil. The caroticolinoid foramen was observed and if present, measured. Results: Of the 365 skulls examined, the foramen was present in 101 (prevalence of 27.6%). The foramen was bilateral in 88 cases, while 13 skulls presented this variation unilaterally (7 on the right and 6 on the left side). Regarding its classification, out of 190 CCF analysed, 69 were pertaining to the complete type, while 120 cases were classified as incomplete and 1 from the contact type. The mean anteroposterior diameter was 4.87±0.69 mm (right side) and 4.86±0.79 mm (left side), and the Transverse Diameter (TD) was 4.85±0.75 mm (right side) and 4.74±0.73 mm (left side). Sixty-nine skulls had data regarding sex and age. The age ranged from 1 month old to 104-year-old (mean of 37.79±21.85-year-old). The male to female ratio was 2:1, being the only relation with statistical significance (p<0.05). Conclusion: The CCF can be a common variation depending on the population analysed. Thus, the surgeon should always be concerned of its presence, as its misidentification may lead to a negative surgical outcome.

Keywords

• anatomical variation
• caroticoclinoid bar
• internal carotid artery
• sphenoid bone