ANATOMIC STUDY OF LOCALIZATION OF FORAMEN OVALE, CAROTID CANAL, JUGULAR FORAMEN USING HENLE’S SPINE AS SURFACE LANDMARK IN SOUTH INDIAN ADULT SKULLS

• Published in: Journal of evolution of medical and dental sciences Vol. 5; no. 53; pp. 3569 - 3572
• Main Authors: Ravindranath, Yogitha, Bailur, Jyotsna, Kishan, Vijay, Devi, Rema
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Akshantala Enterprises Private Limited 04.07.2016
• Subjects: Analysis; Anatomy; Heart septum; Skull base
• ISSN: 2278-4748; 2278-4802
• DOI: 10.14260/jemds/2016/822

BACKGROUND Henle's Spine (HS) is a small bony prominence, anterior to the supramastoid pit, at the postero-superior margin of the external acoustic meatus. Localization of cranial structures using this anatomical landmark is of immense surgical importance to identify and avoid surgical morbidities. AIMS Considering the limited number of research articles describing its anatomy in South Indian skulls, present study was conducted to estimate the location and the difference between the right and left sides of the skull base foramen by using HS as surface landmark, which can act as a guide to various approaches of the skull base surgeries. SETTING AND DESIGN Cross-sectional observational study. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty nine (58 sides) adult South Indian skulls with prominent HS were studied. Following distances on both right and left sides of the skulls were measured from tip of HS to anterior margin and posterior margin of foramen ovale (HS-AMFO, HS- PMFO); posterolateral and medial jugular foramen (HS-PLJF, HS-PMJF); lateral and medial margin of carotid canal (HS-LMCC, HS- MMCC) using digital calliper of 0.01 mm accuracy. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Data was analysed using SPSS version 16. Mean, Standard deviation was calculated. Side differences were estimated using paired 't' test. RESULTS The mean distance from HS-AMFO was 35.96±2.05 mm, HS-PMFO was 42.57±2.38 mm; HS-PLJF 22.82±2.12 mm, HS-PMJF was 34.08[+ or -]2.48 mm; HS-LMCC was 26.68±1.95 mm, HS-MMCC was 32.27±2.22 mm. There was a significant difference noted between right and left sides (p<0.05) of Henle's spine to posterolateral margin of jugular foramen. CONCLUSION Henle's spine can be used as a reliable landmark to locate the deeper structures of skull base. However, the possibility of side difference among the population should be kept in mind prior to surgery. KEYWORDS Henle's Spine, Suprameatal Spine, Skull Base Approach, Carotid Canal, Foramen Ovale, Jugular Foramen, Surface Landmark.