Foramen Vesalius Lab Report

To study the morphological and morphometric variations in foramen Vesalius in dry adult human skulls.
MATERIALS and METHODS: One hundred and fifty dry adult human skulls were studied for variations in size, shape, bilateral symmetry, presence/absence and any duplication/multiplication of the foramen Vesalius.
RESULTS: The mean maximum dimension of foramen Vesalius was 0.98±0.67 mm on right side and 1.12±0.73 mm on left side. Foramen Vesalius was present in ninety skulls out of one hundred and fifty observed (forty one on right side and forty nine on left side). Total incidence of this foramen was 60%. Foramen Vesalius was present unilaterally in 21.3%(thirty two) and bilaterally in 19.3%(twenty nine) of total skulls studied. Duplication of this foramen was observed in two skulls (one right side and one on left side). Foramen Vesalius was round
They observed that abnormal cases of asymmetry of this foramen included invasion by nasopharyngeal melanoma, angiofibroma, carotid cavernous fistula and neurofibromatosis. Thus asymmetry is more likely the result of a pathological process than a normal variant. The study of this foramen is important as it offers a path to the spread an infection from the extracranial source to the cavernous sinus. The foramen Vesalius, if present, is generally situated posteromedial to foramen rotundum and anteromedial to foramen ovale and foramen spinosum. This foramen is located between the foramen ovale and foramen rotundum, more closer to the foramen ovale. Therefore during neurosurgical procedures needle can be misplaced while targeting the foramen ovale for treatment of the trigeminal neuralgia, resulting in severe complications such as intracranial bleeding.[13]. Thus morphological and morphometrical variations of foramen Vesalius can be of help to clinicians while approaching middle cranial