ABSTRACT
SUMMARY: Supratrochlear foramen (STF) is a perforation of bony wall that separates the olecranon fossa and the coronoid fossa. Its incidence varies among different races. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and morphometry of supratrochlear foramen among Thai population. A total of 640 dry humeri from 320 skeletons, 160 paired humeri of each sex, and known age were collected to study the prevalence of STF. The prevalence is reported categorized by sex and the side of humerus to identify whether there is a correlation. STF is categorized by shape and their metrics measured with digital vernier calipers. The ratio of transverse diameter (TD) and distance from the medial epicondyle to the lateral epicondyle (DMLE) were calculated to represent the size of STF. From 640 humeri, 404 cases were translucent septum, 133 cases were opaque septum, and 103 cases were recorded as foramen. In this study, the majority of supratrochlear foramen were oval-shaped, followed by irregular-shaped and round-shaped foramen. The ratio between TD and DMLE was 0.09±0.44 mm on the right and 0.08±0.41 mm on the left which was not significantly different. The findings can be used to understand the variation and location of supratrochlear foramen to help radiologists and orthopedic surgeons to avoid misdiagnosis of cystic lesion at the distal humerus.
RESUMEN: El foramen supratroclear (FST) es una perforación de la pared ósea que separa la fosa olecraneana y la fosa coronoides. Su incidencia varía entre las diferentes razas. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar la prevalencia y la morfometría del foramen supratroclear entre la población tailandesa. Se recolectaron un total de 640 húmeros secos de 320 esqueletos, 160 húmeros emparejados de cada sexo y edad conocida para estudiar la prevalencia de FST. Se reportó la prevalencia categorizada por sexo y lado del húmero para identificar si existe correlación. FST se clasificó por forma y sus métricas se midieron con calibradores vernier digitales. Se calculó la relación del diámetro transversal (DT) y la distancia desde el epicóndilo medial al epicóndilo lateral (DEML) para representar el tamaño de STF. De 640 húmeros, 404 casos presentaban tabique translúcido, 133 casos tabique opaco y 103 casos se registraron como foramen. En este estudio, la ma- yoría de los forámenes supratrocleares tenían forma ovalada, seguidos de los forámenes de forma irregular y redonda. La relación entre DT y DEML fue de 0,09 ± 0,44 mm en el lado derecho y de 0,08 ± 0,41 mm en el lado izquierdo, no existiendo diferencias estadísticamente significativas. Los resultados pueden ser útil para comprender la variación y la ubicación del foramen supratroclear y ayudar a los radiólogos y cirujanos ortopédicos a evitar un diagnóstico erróneo de lesión quística en el húmero distal.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Humerus/anatomy & histology , Thailand , Sex FactorsABSTRACT
Background: The Supratrochlear foramen (STF) is an important anatomical variation resulting from perforationof olecranon-coronoid septum present between two epicondyles of humerus.Material and methods: The study was conducted in 78 (41 left side and 37 right side) human dried humeri ofunknown sex and age. The topographical anatomy of the STF was studied in detail, morphometric measurementswere taken and specimens were photographed. Radiographs of humerus were taken to observe the translucencyof septum and the diameter of intramedullary canal was measured at three levels 1) below the surgical neck 2)junction between upper 2/3rd and lower 1/3rd of shaft 3) above the olecranon fossa.Results: Out of 78 bones studied,15 bones showed the presence of STF. The STF was oval, round and triangular inshape in 7, 5 and 3 bones respectively. The mean transverse and vertical diameters of supratrochlear foramenwere 5.46 mm,5.82 mm and 3.94mm, 3.82mm on the left and right sides respectively. The mean diameter of theintramedullary canal was 4.51mm for the humeri with STF and in the normal humeri it was 5.77mm.Conclusion: The knowledge of STF is essential in diagnostic orthopaedics, in intramedullary nailing of humerusin supracondylar fracture. STF is a radiolucent area in radiographs and this may be misinterpreted as osteolyticor cystic lesion
ABSTRACT
Background: The supratrochlear foramen (STF) is the most important anatomical variation of the humerus withgreat significance. However, in our environment, studies are rare and the FST remains almost unknown. Thisresearch aimed to study the prevalence of STF in a West African sample, its morphological characteristics andpredictive factors of its presence.Material and methods: We investigated the presence, shape, side, situation and dimensions of the STF in 142human adult humeri from West African cadavers. The morphometric measurements of the humeri were taken andwe analyzed the predictive factors of the presence of the STF by binary logistic regression.Results: The prevalence of the STF was 36.6%. In the depth of the olecranon fossa, the STF was closer to the medialepicondyle (24.9 ± 2.9 mm) than to the lateral epicondyle (26, 1 ± 2.8mm). The STF occurred in oval (50%), round(25%) triangular (23.1%) and irregular (1.9%) shapes. The mean transverse diameter of the STF was 6.5 ± 2.7 mmand 4.5 ± 1.5 mm for the vertical diameter. Humeri with STF had a significantly lower inter-epicondylar width;higher olecranon fossa width and height; and were significantly predominant on the left. The inter-epicondylarwidth (OR=1.10, P<0.001) and the width of the olecranon fossa (OR=0.81 P<0.001) were associated with theabsence of STF.Conclusion: A third of humeri in our population have STF. This implies that anatomists, anthropologists, orthopedistsand radiologists should be aware of this frequent anatomical variation with great implications.
ABSTRACT
The supratrochlear foramen (STF) of the distal part of the humerus bone presents a known anatomical skeletonvariation. On the other hand the cause for its appearance remains obscure. Its incidence is reported to be from0% up to 60% among the adults, depending of the population. Results. Our research on dry bone skeletal remainsdemonstrated a very low incidence of 0.8% in the Magnesia region of the central Greece. Conclusions. STFincidence presents a huge percentage interval depending on the region in study. Due to various interventionalprocedures performed in the distal part of the humerus clinicians should be aware of this rare anatomicalvariation.
ABSTRACT
Supratrochlear foramen is formed as a result of perforation of bony septum that separates olecranon fossa and coronoid fossa at the lower end of humerus. It is more common in lower animals and primates. The incidence is increasing in different human races. Aim: To study the prevalence, shape and morphometry of supratrochlear foramen in south Indian population. Methods: 156 Adult dry humeri (84 left and 72 right) irrespective of sex were studied in Department of Anatomy, Government Coimbatore medical college, Coimbatore. Presence of supratrochlear foramen was studied on the basis of its shape, size and dimensions. Also their distance from the epicondyles and lower trochlear margin were noted. Results: Out of total 156 bones studied STF was present in 43 humeri (27.5%) more common in left humeri (30.9%). Most common shape reported was oval shape in 21 humeri (48.8%). The mean transverse diameters on right and left side were 9.5 mm and 9.18 mm; while mean vertical diameters on right and left side were 6.7 mm and 6.9 mm. The mean diameter for round foramen was 4.5 and 6 mm for right and left sides respectively. The distance from the STF to medial epicondyle, lateral epicondyle and lower trochlear margin were measured and the values were tabulated. Conclusion: The knowledge of STF is important for the anatomists, orthopedicians, surgeons, radiologists and anthropologists. It is helpful for the orthopaedicians in preplanning for intramedullary nailing in supracondylar fracture of humerus.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Supratrochlear foramen of the humerus is usually not mentioned in most of the anatomy andorthopaedics literature. Knowledge of supratrochlear foramen is important in the treatment of supracondylarfractures of the humerus, intramedullary humeral nailing, and preventing misinterpretation of X-Rays at theelbow joint, alteration of fracture patterns.Materials and Methods: The present study was carried out on 132 dried human humeri of unknown sex and age.Incidence, shape, and size of the supratrochlear foramen was recorded. Vertical and transverse diameters weremeasured by using a double tipped compass and sliding calipers.Results: Out of the 132 bones studied, 34 bones showed the presence of supratrochlear foramen. It was observedthat the incidence was more on the left side than on the right. The most common shape observed was oval in19.69%, round in 3.03%, bilobed in 1.51% and irregular in 1.51% of the specimens. Mean transverse diameter ofthe supratrochlear foramen on the left and right sides were 7.25mm and 8.1mm respectively. The mean verticaldiameter of supra trochlear foramen on the left and right sides were 5.3mm and 5.4mm respectively.Conclusion: Knowledge of supratrochlear foramen of the humerus helps clinicians in diagnosis and treatmentstrategies, while dealing with the elbow pathologies, fractures of the lower end of the humerus and supracondylarfractures of the humerus.
ABSTRACT
Background: The supratrochlear foramen (STF), alternatively termed septal aperture of humerus is a deficit of the bony septum in the distal end of humerus that separates the coronoid fossa from the olecranon fossa. The study is focused on the STF owing to its significance in the preoperative planning of supracondylar fractures of humerus. The humerus with STF has narrow medullary canal so ante grade route is advised for nailing supracondylar fractures in humerus with STF. Materials: This study was conducted on 355 dry human humeri belonging to south Indian race. Results: The supratrochlear foramen was present in 76 bones (21.4%). The incidence of STF was more on the left side (23.3%) than the right side (19.6%). The transverse and vertical diameters of STF were measured using digital Vernier caliper. The mean transverse diameter on right side was 5.67 ± 1.71 mm and 5.39 ± 1.57 mm on left side. The mean vertical diameter was 3.9 ± 1.32 mm on right side and 3.84 ± 1.20 mm on left side. Various shapes of STF were noted among which oval shape was maximum. The translucent septum was frequently found more on the right side (56.3%). Conclusions: The STF may be mistakenly interpreted as a cyst or tumors in X rays. Besides its anthropological interest, the knowledge of STF will be helpful for orthopedic surgeons and radiologists.