Evaluation of the Presence and Distribution of Zygomaticofacial Foramen by Cone Beam Computed Tomography in the Central Anatolian Population

Kübra Öztürk; Fatma Akkoca

doi:10.7126/cumudj.1779847

EN TR

Evaluation of the Presence and Distribution of Zygomaticofacial Foramen by Cone Beam Computed Tomography in the Central Anatolian Population

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the presence, number, and bilateral distribution of the zygomaticofacial foramen (ZFF) in a Central Anatolian population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and to evaluate potential sex-related differences in its anatomical characteristics. Materials and Methods: A total of 550 CBCT images from patients aged 16–85 years (273 males, 277 females) were analyzed. High-quality CBCT images were included, while patients with craniofacial anomalies, trauma, or orthodontic treatments were excluded. Image evaluation was performed using OnDemand 3D Imaging Software, and statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS (version 22.0). Chi-square analysis was used to compare ZFF presence and distribution between sexes and sides. Results: At least one ZFF was present in 211 patients, while 339 patients had no foramen. On the right side, one foramen was observed in 117 patients, two in 40, and three in six. On the left side, 1 foramen was detected in 136 patients, 2 in 20, and 3 in 3. A statistically significant difference was found with respect to foramen presence between the right and left sides (p<0.001). However, no significant difference was observed between sexes (p>0.05). Conclusions: CBCT imaging effectively identifies anatomical variations of ZFF, assisting in preoperative planning for maxillofacial surgeries. The findings highlight the importance of considering individual anatomical differences during surgical interventions. Further large-scale, multi-center CBCT studies are needed to explore ethnic variations in ZFF anatomy. Keywords: anatomical variation, cone-beam computed tomography, maxillofacial radiology, maxillofacial surgery, zygomaticofacial foramen

Keywords

Orta Anadolu Popülasyonunda Konik Işınlı Bilgisayarlı Tomografi ile Zygomaticofacial Foramen'in Varlığı ve Dağılımının Değerlendirilmesi

Öz

Amaç: Bu çalışmada, Orta Anadolu popülasyonunda zigomatikofasiyal foramenin (ZFF) varlığı, sayısı ve bilateral dağılımı konik ışınlı bilgisayarlı tomografi (KIBT) kullanılarak araştırılmış ve anatomik özelliklerindeki olası cinsiyete bağlı farklılıklar değerlendirilmiştir. Gereç ve Yöntemler: 16-85 yaş aralığındaki 273 erkek, 277 kadın hastadan alınan toplam 550 KIBT görüntüsü analiz edilmiştir. Yüksek kaliteli KIBT görüntüleri çalışmaya dahil edilirken, kraniyofasiyal anomalileri, travma veya ortodontik tedavileri olan hastalar çalışma dışı bırakılmıştır. Görüntü değerlendirmesi OnDemand 3D Görüntüleme Yazılımı kullanılarak gerçekleştirilmiş ve istatistiksel analizler SPSS (sürüm 22.0) kullanılarak gerçekleştirilmiştir. Cinsiyetler ve taraflar arasında ZFF varlığını ve dağılımını karşılaştırmak için ki-kare analizi kullanılmıştır. Sonuçlar: 211 hastada en az bir ZFF mevcutken, 339 hastada foramen yoktu. Sağ tarafta, 117 hastada bir, 40 hastada iki ve altı hastada üç deliğe rastlandı. Sol tarafta ise 136 hastada bir, 20 hastada iki ve üç hastada üç deliğe rastlandı. Sağ ve sol taraflar arasında deliğin varlığı açısından istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir fark bulundu (p<0,001). Ancak cinsiyetler arasında anlamlı bir fark gözlenmedi (p>0,05). Sonuçlar: KIBT görüntüleme, ZFF'nin anatomik varyasyonlarını etkili bir şekilde belirleyerek maksillofasiyal cerrahiler için ameliyat öncesi planlamaya yardımcı olur. Bulgular, cerrahi müdahaleler sırasında bireysel anatomik farklılıkların dikkate alınmasının önemini vurgulamaktadır. ZFF anatomisindeki etnik varyasyonları araştırmak için daha geniş ölçekli, çok merkezli KIBT çalışmalarına ihtiyaç vardır. Anahtar Kelimeler: anatomik varyasyon, konik ışınlı bilgisayarlı tomografi, maksillofasiyal radyoloji, maksillofasiyal cerrahi, zigomatikofasiyal foramen

Anahtar Kelimeler

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery , Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Kübra Öztürk
0000-0003-4447-0103
Türkiye

Fatma Akkoca ^*
0000-0002-4522-656X
Türkiye

Publication Date

March 27, 2026

Submission Date

September 25, 2025

Acceptance Date

February 27, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 29 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.7126/cumudj.1779847

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA29RN42EP

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

EndNote

Öztürk K, Akkoca F (March 1, 2026) Evaluation of the Presence and Distribution of Zygomaticofacial Foramen by Cone Beam Computed Tomography in the Central Anatolian Population. Cumhuriyet Dental Journal 29 1 66–72.