Frequency, Location, and Diameter of the Sphenoidal Emissary Foramen in the Pediatric Population

To see changes in the topography, prevalence, and diameter of the sphenoidal emissary foramen (SEF) in children with advancing age. The 360 normal pediatric subjects aged 1–18 years, who underwent cranial computed tomography scans were included into the study. The diameter of SEF (SEFD), if present, was measured. Distances from SEF to the foramen ovale (SEF-FO), foramen spinosum (SEF-FS) and midline (SEF-ML) were measured. Of 360 children, 132 subjects had SEF (36.7%). The unilateral SEF (22.8%) was more prevalent compared to the bilateral SEF (13.9%) (p = 0.007). Of 132 children with SEF, four had multiple foramina (1.1%). The incidence of SEF was found to be statistically similar in males (36.1%) and females (37.2%) (p = 0.797). SEFD, SEF-FO, SEF-FS and SEF-ML were measured as 1.40 ± 0.59 mm, 2.25 ± 0.95 mm, 11.02 ± 2.02 mm, and 17.94 ± 2.03 mm, respectively. According to age groups, SEF-FS and SEF-ML did not change after the late childhood period (p < 0.001); however, SEF-FO (p = 0.629) and SEFD (p = 0.184) did not correlate with pediatric age groups. Five types related to SEFD were noted in children with the following frequencies: types 3 (31.3%) > 2 (30.3%) > 4 (21.4%) > 5 (16.5%) > 1 (0.5%). Four types related to SEF shape were noted in children with the following frequencies: oval (41.8%) > pinhole (30.8%) > round (17%) > irregular (10.4%). Approximately two in five children have a SEF. Our findings may help prevent emissary vein injury during pediatric skull-base or percutaneous procedures.