Cone Beam CT Study of the Foramen of Huschke: Prevalence, and Characteristics

Background: Foramen of Huschke is anatomical anomaly in the antero-inferior aspect of external auditory canal (EAC), and is associated with pathologies. Awareness about this anomaly is clinically important. Objective: The aim of this study is to document the prevalence, laterality, and dimensions of the foramen of Huschke in the Iranian population. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 246 cone bean computed tomography (CBCT) imaging studies of temporal bone bilaterally in patients 10 to 65 years old. Scans were studied in axial, sagittal and coronal planes. We inspected the bony dehiscence of the antero-inferior aspect of EAC. We checked for the presence of the foramen, size, laterality, prevalence, and distribution in males and females. Results: The foramen of Huschke was observed in 41 of 246 patients (7 males, 34 females). The foramen was found to be unilateral in 31 patients and bilateral in 10 cases. There was significant difference in the prevalence between women and men (p=0.004). Conclusion: Considering its clinical importance, the foramen of Huschke is not an unusual anomaly and can be easily identified in CBCT images.