Study of Accessory Foramen Transversarium in Cervical Vertebrae.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Foramen transversaria are located on transverse processes of each cervical vertebra and transmit the vertebral artery, vertebral vein, and sympathetic nerves. These foramina are known to exhibit variations in size, shape and numbers and may be absent, incomplete or duplicate, which may lead to various symptoms. Their etiology is related with the variations in the course of vertebral artery due to developmental reasons. Objective: The present study was conducted to find the incidence of accessory foramina transversaria in the cervical spine.The recognition of these variations provide accurate and safety for the posterior surgical approaches of the cervical spine. Methodology: 210 dry cervical vertebrae of both sexes were studied in the Department of Anatomy, GCS Medical College, Ahmedabad. During our study we excluded all broken, damaged cervical vertebrae and observed the variations of foramen transversarium both in right and left transverse process of each cervical vertebra. Result: Variations in foramina were found unilaterally as well as bilaterally. 34 (16.19%) out of total 210 vertebrae studied presented accessory foramen transversarium. Conclusion: Variations in foramina may indicate, the variation in course of vertebral artery.The present study has important clinical implications for head and neck and vascular surgeons and radiologists