Evaluation of the prevalence and morphometric characteristics of coronoid foramen by cone beam computed tomography

With the development of radiographic imaging techniques along with the science of anatomy, an anatomical variation called the coronoid foramen has been identified in the jawbone. This foramen is an important structure because it contains neurovascular structures and may play a role in the spread of jaw tumors. This study aimed to determine the incidence of the coronoid foramen and to evaluate its anatomical and morphometric features using cone beam computed tomography in patients admitted to a dental school.

In this study, CBCT images obtained for various reasons between 2016 and 2022 were retrospectively evaluated. Out of a total of 12,425 images, 3,487 CBCT scans that met the inclusion criteria were included. in the study. The coronoid foramen detected in the coronoid process was classified based on localization as unilateral right, unilateral left, or bilateral; based on number as single or multiple; and based on position as antero-inferior, central, coronoid base, or postero-superior. The opening site was also categorized according to buccolingual, lingual, buccal, and anterior surfaces. The largest diameter of each foramen was measured.

55.1% of the patients were female and 44.9% were male, with a mean age of 35.25 years. The coronoid foramen was identified in 12.7% of the cases. 4% of the foramens were seen unilateral on the right side, 2.9% on the left side and 5.8% were seen bilaterally. 10.7% of the patients had a single foramen and 2% had multiple foramina. Most of the unilateral right and left foramens were localized centrally, while the majority of bilateral foramens were located in the coronoid base. The coronoid foramens in the anterior-inferior and posterior-superior positions were smaller than the coronoid foramens in the central and coronoid base positions.

The coronoid foramen is an important structure and should be considered during diagnosis and treatment.