Abstract

Introduction: Arcuate foramen anomaly is an anatomic variation in the first thoracicvertebrae that forms a space for passing of vertebral artery. Considering the role of thisbony bridge in migraine development and its effect on prevalence of various types of painin head, shoulder, and neck areas, as well as its importance in screw placement on thelateral mass of atlas, the present study evaluated the prevalence of this anomaly amongthose presented to the emergency department (ED) of Poursina Hospital, Rasht, IranMethods: The present study is a cross-sectional one, carried out on patients over 18 yearsof age that visited ED of Poursina Hospital, Rasht, Iran, in 2015 and underwent lateral neckradiography using census method. Data of the patients were gathered using their medicalprofile or by asking them on the phone, and recorded in a pre-designed checklist. Data were analyzed with the aid of SPSS version 24 and chi-square and independent t-teststatistical tests. P-values less than 0.05 were considered as significant. Results: 1146 patients with the mean age of 37.95 ± 15.88 years were studied (69.2% male). Mean agewas 36.05 ± 15.26 years among men and 14.21 ± 16.44 years among women (p < 0.001).The overall prevalence of arcuate foramen was calculated to be 9.6% [95% confidence interval 7.89 – 11.30; 110 patients (74.5% male)]. This anomaly had a prevalence of10.34% in men and 7.93% in women (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, the prevalence of arcuate foramen anomaly was estimated to be 9.6% inGuilan province using lateral neck radiography. Its prevalence rate was 10.34% in men and 7.93% in women. Considering this prevalence rate, presence of this anomaly should be considered as a possibility in patients with complaints of head, shoulder, and neck pain

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