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Atlas of Normal Imaging Variations of the Brain, Skull, and Craniocervical Vasculature pp 769–813Cite as

Skull Base Foramina: Normal Variations and Developmental Defects

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Abstract

This chapter is devoted to the normal variations in foramina at the skull base. Because these foramina can simulate fractures, lytic lesions, and cephaloceles based on their location, one can recognize the importance of being familiar with these variants. Although these foramina can be particularly prominent and problematic in younger children, their persistence in adults can cause confusion. Therefore the intent and methodology utilized here are to follow the normal anatomy and staying power of these variants from the pediatric to adult ages. A number of other skull base foramina are not covered in this text; those that are not mentioned either are not typically confused with other abnormalities or do not have significant asymmetry (e.g., optical canal, superior orbital fissure, carotid canal).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neuroradiology Division Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Alexander M. McKinney MD, CIIP (Professor, Peterson Chair of Neuroradiology)

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  1. Alexander M. McKinney MD, CIIP
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McKinney, A.M. (2017). Skull Base Foramina: Normal Variations and Developmental Defects. In: Atlas of Normal Imaging Variations of the Brain, Skull, and Craniocervical Vasculature . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39790-0_26

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39790-0_26

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-39789-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-39790-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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