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New detailed description of the anterior part of the cribriform plate using anatomic specimens and computed tomography

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Abstract

Purpose

Ethmoidal slit (ES) and cribroethmoidal foramen (CF) have been poorly studied, without any radiological description. They may ease cribriform plate’s diseases. The objective was to describe the frequency, size, and computed tomography (CT) appearance of these foramina.

Methods

A two-part anatomoradiological study was performed: first on dry skulls using a surgical microscope and CT, second on patients CT scans. For each, foramina were searched for, described, and measured when possible.

Results

Thirteen dry macerated skulls were studied. The orbitomeatal plane was relevant for studying ES. With microscope, ES and CF were identified in, respectively, 92% and 100% of cases. Using CT, all ES and CF were visible, with a mean length and width of, respectively, 3.9 ± 1.7 mm and 0.9 ± 0.3 mm for ES and 1.6 ± 1 mm and 0.9 ± 0.3 mm for CF. CT scans from 153 patients were reviewed. ES and CF were identified in, respectively, 80% and 91% of cases, with a mean length and width of, respectively, 3.9 ± 0.8 mm and 0.8 ± 0.2 mm for ES.

Conclusion

Large-sized ES was found frequently, and were clearly visible in patients CT scans. CF was markedly smaller, but seen in most patient scans. ES and CF could be areas of least resistance in the anterior part of the cribriform plate. CT might be helpful in understanding their pathological implications.

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Abbreviations

CF:

Cribroethmoidal foramen

CSF:

Cerebrospinal fluid

CT:

Computed tomography

ES:

Ethmoidal slit

HU:

Hounsfield units

ICC:

Intraclass correlation coefficient

IOM:

Infraorbitomeatal

OM:

Orbitomeatal

SOM:

Supraorbitomeatal

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Caen, 14000, Caen, France

    Clément Escalard & Michèle Hamon

  2. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Caen, 14000, Caen, France

    Lise-Marie Roussel, Vincent Patron & Martin Hitier

  3. Department of Radiology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, 59000, Lille, France

    Apolline Kazemi

  4. Department of Anatomy, UNICAEN, 14032, Caen, France

    Martin Hitier

  5. INSERM U 1075 COMETE, 14032, Caen, France

    Martin Hitier

Authors
  1. Clément Escalard
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  2. Lise-Marie Roussel
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  3. Michèle Hamon
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  4. Apolline Kazemi
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  5. Vincent Patron
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  6. Martin Hitier
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Contributions

CE: protocol development, data collection and management, data analysis, and manuscript writing. L-MR: protocol development and data collection. MH: protocol development and manuscript editing. AK: protocol development. VP: protocol development and manuscript editing. MH: protocol development and manuscript editing.

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Correspondence to Clément Escalard.

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Escalard, C., Roussel, LM., Hamon, M. et al. New detailed description of the anterior part of the cribriform plate using anatomic specimens and computed tomography. Surg Radiol Anat 41, 801–808 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-019-02220-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-019-02220-z

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