A Radiological Study on Incisive Foramen Measurement Related to Rhinologic Field

Background and Objectives: Most episodes of the anterior epistaxis are controlled by the anterior pressure methods. If the pressure methods fail, surgical interventions such as vessel cauterization, ligation, and embolization can be recommended. While surgical techniques for the sphenopalatine artery and anterior ethmoidal artery are well-described, the technique for the greater palatine artery (GPA) is not as well-known. The purpose of this study was to describe the incisive foramen, the exit of the GPA, and the surrounding structures using sinus computed tomography (CT). Materials and Methods: Sinus CT was performed on a total of 233 individuals. Using sagittal images, the distance from the anterior nasal spine to the incisive foramen (DANSIF) and the antero-posterior diameter of the incisive foramen (DIF) were measured. Results: The DANSIF in males (11.63±2.44 mm) was longer than that in females (10.62±2.19 mm), showing significant gender difference (p=0.001). The DIF in males (4.43±1.43 mm) was longer than that in females (4.21±1.34 mm), showing no significant gender difference (p=0.244). The DANSIF and age were negatively correlated (r=–0.318, p<0.001). Conclusion: In Korean adults, the DANSIF and DIF are slightly longer than 10 mm and 4 mm, respectively. Measuring the DANSIF is a useful method for finding the exit of the GPA in the nasal cavity.