Topography, prevalence, and diameter of the parietal emissary foramen in the pediatric population.

PURPOSE

The study aimed to see changes in the topography, prevalence, and diameter of the parietal emissary foramen (PEF) in children with advancing age.

METHODS

The 360 normal pediatric subjects aged 1-18 years, who underwent cranial computed tomography scans were included in the study. The diameter of PEF (PEFD), if present, was measured. Distances from PEF to sagittal (PEF-SS), lambdoid (PEF-LS), and coronal (PEF-CS) sutures were measured.

RESULTS

Of 360 children, 269 subjects had PEF (74.7%) and three had multiple PEFs (0.8%). Bilateral, unilateral right-side, and unilateral left-side PEF incidences were determined as 44.2%, 20.3% and 10.3%, respectively. PEFD was determined to be 3.16 ± 1.02 mm, and it remained unchanged after the early childhood period. PEFD > 5 mm was identified in six children (1.7%). PEF-SS, PEF-LS, and PEF-CS were measured as 5.44 ± 2.74 mm, 35.50 ± 6.44 mm, and 81.90 ± 7.33 mm, respectively. According to age groups, PEF-LS and PEF-CS did not change after the early childhood period. PEF-SS did not correlate with pediatric age groups. Linear function was calculated as y = 2.531 + 0.065 × age for PEFD, and y = 76.918 + 0.515 × age for PEF-CS.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately three in four children have a PEF. Its diameter remains unchanged after the early childhood period. A pediatric PEF is located approximately 5 mm lateral to the sagittal suture, 35 mm anterior to the lambdoid suture, and 80 mm posterior to the coronal sutures.