Morphometric study of foramina transversaria in Jordanian population using cross-sectional computed tomography.

Foramina transversaria are bilateral landmarks of human cervical vertebrae. Morphometric analysis of foramina transversaria is valuable in both clinical and academic fields. This study aims to build a novel normative database of the dimensions of foramina transversaria in Jordanian population and to correlate these data with gender and age. For this purpose, axial computer tomographic images of cervical vertebrae of 329 normal individuals were obtained from the Radiology Department at King Abdulla University Hospital. Cases were subdivided into adolescence, youth, and adulthood groups for both genders. Antero-posterior and transverse diameters were measured bilaterally at all cervical vertebral levels. Statistical analysis of measured dimensions was performed using Statistical Package of Social Sciences software. The results showed that the overall mean antero-posterior diameter of foramina transversaria was 6.09 ± 0.60mms and 5.94 ± 0.62mms on the left and on the right sides, respectively. The corresponding mean transverse diameter measured 4.76 ± 0.51mms and 4.62 ± 0.52mms on the left and the right sides, respectively. Foramina transversaria were significantly larger in males compared to females (p = 0.00). Age-related differences were statistically significant for both antero-posterior and transverse diameters in favor of adult age-group, irrespective of vertebral level. The relevance of these findings is discussed.

Branching patterns of the aortic arch: a computed tomography angiography-based study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the anatomical variations in direct branches of the aortic arch in Jordanians using the contrast Computed Tomography (CT) imaging techniques and to determine their prevalence according to sex. METHODS: This analytical, retrospective study included 500 patients (209 females, 291 males), who were referred to the Radio-Diagnostic Department at King Abdullah University Hospital for CT angiography of the aortic arch from 2010 to 2014. Patients were selected using a random sampling method. RESULTS: Six patterns of arrangement of arteries according to their origin from the aortic arch were identified in Jordanians. The most common pattern was the normal classical one and accounted for 61.2 % of cases. All other patterns were considered variations and accounted for 38.8 % of cases. Variation patterns were classified into six different types. There was no significant correlation (p > 0.05) between sex and the occurrence of different types of variations. CONCLUSION: This study provides new information regarding the prevalence of aortic arch branching variations in Jordanians. A wide range of anatomical variations in the branching pattern of the aortic arch was observed. This should be taken into consideration during angiography, aortic instrumentation, and supra-aortic thoracic, head, and neck surgery.