Supratrochlear Foramen of Humerus - A Morphometric Study with Surgical and Radiological Relevance

Abstract

Background: The supratrochlear foramen is a common anatomical variation in the lower end of human humerus with significant surgical implication. The present study was carried out to assess the supratrochlear foramen morphologically and morphometrically and highlight the clinical utility of the findings. Material and Methods: The study included sixty dried, unpaired, adult human humeri (28 right and 32 left). They were studied macroscopically for the incidence, dimensions,location and shape of the supratrochlear foramina. Results: Twelve bones (20%) showed supratrochlear foramen (7 on left side and 5 on right side). The transverse diameter of the foramen was measured to be 6.57 ± 2.50 mm on left side and 5.0 ± 1.58 mm on right side. The vertical diameter of the foramen was found to be 5.28 ± 1.60 mm on left side and 3.20 ± 0.83 mm on right side. The distance of the foramen from lateral epicondyle and medial epicondyle of humerus was determined to be 25.16 ± 2.28 mm and 23.58 ± 2.23 mm respectively. The foramina exhibited various shapes- irregular, rectangular, hour glass like, triangular and oval. Conclusion: The supratrochlear foramen is important for orthopaedicians as it can predispose to fracture of distal humerus. Requisite planning is necessary for the intramedullary nailing of the fractures of distal humerus due to associated narrow medullary canal in humerus having supratrochlear foramen. Radiologists may misinterpret it as a cystic or lytic lesion of humerus.

Keywords

• Supratrochlear foramen
• Supracondylar fracture
• Intramedullary Nailing