Kamburoğlu K, Sonmez G. Radiological assessment of the fossa of Rosenmüller using cone-beam computed tomography: A retrospective study. World J Radiol 2026; 18(5): 119205 [DOI: 10.4329/wjr.v18.i5.119205]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Kıvanç Kamburoğlu, Professor, Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, Ankara University Faculty of Dentistry, Mevlana Bulvarı 19/1, Ankara 06500, Türkiye. dtkivo@yahoo.com
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Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
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Retrospective Study
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Kamburoğlu K, Sonmez G. Radiological assessment of the fossa of Rosenmüller using cone-beam computed tomography: A retrospective study. World J Radiol 2026; 18(5): 119205 [DOI: 10.4329/wjr.v18.i5.119205]
World J Radiol. May 28, 2026; 18(5): 119205 Published online May 28, 2026. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v18.i5.119205
Radiological assessment of the fossa of Rosenmüller using cone-beam computed tomography: A retrospective study
Kıvanç Kamburoğlu, Gul Sonmez
Kıvanç Kamburoğlu, Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, Ankara University Faculty of Dentistry, Ankara 06500, Türkiye
Gul Sonmez, Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, European University of Lefke via Mersin, 99770, Türkiye
Author contributions: Kamburoğlu K planned, analyzed, and revised the paper; Sonmez G performed anatomical measurements and wrote the paper; all authors thoroughly reviewed and endorsed the final manuscript.
AI contribution statement: Our study, including our images, is all original. No AI was utilized in the planning, designing, conducting, or analyzing the present research. All data presented here belong to our clinical patient-related imaging findings. The manuscript was written by our team. Only during the polishing and editing of the language, the automatic detection tool of Grammarly, offered by our institution, is taken into consideration.
Institutional review board statement: This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Ankara University Faculty of Dentistry, approval No. 36290600/100.
Informed consent statement: Informed consent was obtained for retrospective analysis.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Data sharing statement: Local review board approval was obtained.
Corresponding author: Kıvanç Kamburoğlu, Professor, Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, Ankara University Faculty of Dentistry, Mevlana Bulvarı 19/1, Ankara 06500, Türkiye. dtkivo@yahoo.com
Received: January 26, 2026 Revised: February 9, 2026 Accepted: April 2, 2026 Published online: May 28, 2026 Processing time: 126 Days and 6.5 Hours
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The fossa of Rosenmüller (RF) is a herniation of nasopharyngeal mucosa through a defect between the skull base and the superior-most fibers of the superior constrictor muscle. Its anatomy and relationships help explain symptoms commonly seen in nasopharyngeal disorders, as well as potential pathways for direct disease extension. This retrospective study aims to assess RF anatomy using two- and three-dimensional measurements and to evaluate these findings according to demographic parameters.
AIM
To assess the anatomy of RF via two- and three-dimensional measurements and evaluate the findings according to demographic parameters.
METHODS
Cone-beam computed tomography images from 500 Turkish patients were retrospectively assessed by two observers, each performing measurements twice. Images were acquired using a Planmeca Promax 3D Max system (Planmeca, Helsinki, Finland) (70-90 kVp; 9-10 mA; exposure time 10-15 seconds). Measurements included RF depth, width, angle, and volume. Patient age and sex were recorded. Volume measurements were performed using 3D Doctor software (Able Software Corp., Lexington, United States). The Mann-Whitney U test was used to assess differences between groups. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to evaluate intra- and inter-observer agreement. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.
RESULTS
The mean width was 4.21 ± 1.43 mm (median: 4.16; range: 1.17-11.09), and the mean depth was 12.82 ± 3.39 mm (median: 12.84; range: 4.79-25.86). The mean angle relative to the sagittal plane was 52.34° ± 9.11° (median: 51.40; range: 9.28-79.90). Volumetric analysis demonstrated a mean RF volume of 334.78 ± 329.93 mm3 (median: 210.67; range: 29.31-1632.76), indicating substantial interindividual variability. No statistically significant sex-related differences were identified in width (female: 4.20 ± 1.46 mm; male: 4.24 ± 1.41 mm; P = 0.885), depth (female: 12.82 ± 3.39 mm; male: 12.80 ± 3.44 mm; P = 0.973), or angle (female: 51.66° ± 9.75°; male: 53.52° ± 7.88°; P = 0.296). Similarly, volumetric measurements did not differ significantly between females and males (307.26 ± 304.78 mm3 vs 383.26 ± 368.99 mm3, respectively; P = 0.336). Intraclass correlation coefficients demonstrated excellent intra- and inter-observer agreement for all measurements (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
Cone-beam computed tomography may provide useful information for assessing the RF.
Core Tip: The fossa of Rosenmüller is a key anatomical region of the nasopharynx and represents the most frequent site of origin of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Despite its clinical significance, detailed three-dimensional morphometric data on this structure remain limited. In the present study, cone-beam computed tomography enabled accurate three-dimensional linear and volumetric evaluation of the fossa of Rosenmüller. The combined use of volumetric, surface area, and linear measurements provides a more comprehensive characterization of its complex morphology. These findings offer normative reference data and support the use of cone-beam computed tomography as a valuable complementary imaging modality for nasopharyngeal anatomical and pathological assessment.
