Objective: The condylar canal (CC) is an important anatomical structure located in the posterior cranial fossa and frequently exhibits variations that may influence surgical approaches and clinical interpretation. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of CC variations and evaluate their possible relationship with clinical findings.
Materials and Methods: A total of 113 cranial CT scans (34 females and 79 males) were retrospectively analyzed, and detailed morphometric measurements of the foramen magnum and CC were performed. In addition, anamnesis data regarding clinical symptoms, including headache, nausea, dizziness, neck pain, blurred vision, and epistaxis, were assessed.
Results: The results demonstrated that the CC was absent in some individuals, unilateral in others, and bilateral in a considerable proportion. However, no statistically significant associations were found between CC variations and patient demographics or clinical symptoms (p>0.05). Similarly, morphometric analysis of the foramen magnum revealed no significant differences among the groups (p>0.05).
Conclusion: These findings suggest that although the CC demonstrates considerable anatomical variability, its presence or absence does not appear to correlate with clinical symptoms. Our study provides valuable radiological and anatomical data that may help neurosurgeons, radiologists, and anatomists better understand CC variations. To our knowledge, this is among the first studies to examine CC variations together with clinical symptomatology, thereby providing new insights into the literature.