Normal Base of Skull Foramina Anatomy and Variants on Computed Tomography in the Adult Population in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

Background: Imaging the base of skull is challenging. This is because of numerous normal variants, complex anatomy, and the unfamiliarity of most radiologists with this region. This area is challenging to examine clinically, therefore CT and MRI are imaging modalities used in its assessment. Anatomical variations may be seen in the foramina in terms of Morphometry (size and shape) and consistency (present or absent). There is no local radiological study to define the average size and variations of skull foramina Aim: To define the average size of some base of the skull foramina and the incidence of foramina variations in the Kenyan adult population. Methodology: A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out at the Kenyatta National Hospital Radiology department from March 2022 to May 2022. Study subjects were 124 with normal base of skull on CT who met the inclusion criteria and consented to be included in the study Statistical analysis: Microsoft Excel spreadsheet was used to enter data which was then exported to Statistical package for social sciences version (SPSS) 23.0. Demographic and morphometric characteristics was analyzed. Categorical data was presented in form of frequencies and percentages while continuous data was presented in form of means with standard deviations. The measurements of the base of skull foramina were analyzed and presented as means with standard deviations. The variant anatomy of the base of skull foramina was analyzed and presented as frequencies and percentages. Expected outcome: The Morphometry and pattern of the variant anatomy of the base of skull foramina will be similar to findings from other studies