Evaluation of accessory transverse foramen in the western black sea population

There are 7 vertebrae in the cervical region. The most distinctive feature that distinguishes these vertebrae from other vertebrae is the presence of foramen (for.) transversarium in their processus (proc.) transversus. Arteria (a.) vertebralis, vena (v.) vertebralis and plexus sympaticus pass through the for. transversarium. A. vertebralis enters from the transverse foramen of the sixth cervical vertebra and rises upwards. Transverse foramen may differ in shape and size depending on the condition of the a. vertebralis, and changes in the foramen transverarium may cause the a. vertebralis to show various variations. Many researchers in the literature agree on the variations of transverse foramen. The aim of our study is to examine the condition of multiple transverse foramen, called accessory transverse foramen (AFT), radiologically. In the study, CT images of 100 women and 100 men, a total of 200 individuals, with an average age of 51.52, were retrospectively examined. Individuals observed AFT were recorded and transverse diameters of each AFT were measured. The obtained data were analyzed with SPSS 26.0 program. According to the analysis results, AFT was observed in 49 men and 46 women, a total of 95 people. There was no statistically significant difference between gender and AFT and between gender and AFT transverse diameter values (p>0.05). The vertebra C6 was determined as the most common AFT in both sexes. The aim of our study is to guide the better determination of structures and the selection of appropriate intervention in surgical interventions to be performed in the neck region through the interpretation of x-ray and CT scans. Keywords: Cervical vertebra, Foramen transversarium, Accessory foramen transversarium, Computed tomography