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

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 (p0.05).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