Morphometric analysis of skull base neurovascular canals in patients with medication related osteonecrosis of the jaw using cone beam computed tomography.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diameters of selected skull‑base neurovascular canals in patients with medication‑related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) compared to a healthy control group.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Cone‑beam computed tomography (CBCT) images from 43 patients with MRONJ and 41 healthy controls were retrospectively analyzed. The maximal diameters (in millimeters) of the foramen rotundum, pterygoid canal, foramen ovale, foramen spinosum, and foramen jugulare were measured bilaterally. Independent‑samples t tests were used for statistical comparisons, with p < 0.05 considered significant.

RESULTS

In the MRONJ group, the maximal diameters of the foramen rotundum, pterygoid canal, and foramen jugulare were significantly smaller than those of the control group (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between groups for the diameters of the foramen ovale and foramen spinosum (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with MRONJ exhibit marked narrowing of the foramen rotundum, pterygoid canal, and foramen jugulare, whereas the dimensions of the foramen ovale and foramen spinosum remain unaffected. These findings suggest that MRONJ may induce morphometric alterations in certain skull‑base neurovascular canals.