Comparison of Three Methods Used for Estimating Area of Foramen Magnum

OBJECTIVE: To compare whether there are any differences between the 3 methods used for measure area of foramen magnum (FM) in skulls. METHODS: The FMs of 150 skulls were examined. Antero-posterior diameter, transverse diameter were measured using by Vernier caliper. The area of the FM was calculated by using 2 different formulas as described previously by Radinsky and Teixeira.The authors also applied stereological assessment method for estimating the surface area of FMs. The area was calculated 3 times manually using stereological point grid system for each skull.The authors compared the mean surface area of FMs obtained from each of these 3 methods estimating surface area of FMs whether there were any significant differences in between their results. RESULTS: The mean areas of the FMs estimated according to Teixeria formula, Radinsky formula, and Cavalieri stereological method were respectively as follows: 790.47 ± 99.86 mm, 783.66 ± 99.34 mm, and 748.06 ± 100.19 mm. The authors observed significant differences (P < 0.05) in between the mean surface areas of FMs obtained from each of these 3 methods used for estimating the area. CONCLUSION: There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in between the mean surface areas of FMs obtained from each of these 3 methods used for estimating the area.