Configuration of Fibrous and Adipose Tissues in the Cavernous Sinus

Abstract

ObjectiveThree-dimensional anatomical appreciation of the matrix of the cavernous sinus is one of the crucial necessities for a better understanding of tissue patterning and various disorders in the sinus. The purpose of this study was to reveal configuration of fibrous and adipose components in the cavernous sinus and their relationship with the cranial nerves and vessels in the sinus and meningeal sinus wall.Materials and MethodsNineteen cadavers (8 females and 11 males; age range, 54–89 years; mean age, 75 years) were prepared as transverse (6 sets), coronal (3 sets) and sagittal (10 sets) plastinated sections that were examined at both macroscopic and microscopic levels.ResultsTwo types of the web-like fibrous networks were identified and localized in the cavernous sinus. A dural trabecular network constituted a skeleton-frame in the sinus and contributed to the sleeves of intracavernous cranial nerves III, IV, V1, V2 and VI. A fine trabecular network, or adipose tissue, was the matrix of the sinus and was mainly distributed along the medial side of the intracavernous cranial nerves, forming a dumbbell-shaped adipose zone in the sinus.ConclusionsThis study revealed the nature, fine architecture and localization of the fine and dural trabecular networks in the cavernous sinus and their relationship with intracavernous cranial nerves and vessels. The results may be valuable for better understanding of tissue patterning in the cranial base and better evaluation of intracavernous disorders, e.g. the growth direction and extent of intracavernous tumors.

E12 sheet plastination: Techniques and applications

“…If sections 1.5–4.0 mm thick are desired, the piece is frozen at a very low temperature (generally −80°C) and then cut. The individual sections are then plastinated (Fritsch, ; Cook, ; Sora et al, , , , , ; Zhang and Lee, ; Leaper et al, ; Nash et al, , ; Sora and Genser‐Strobl, ; Fritsch et al, ; Al‐Ali et al, ; Elnady and Sora, ; Chen et al, ; Wegmann et al, ; Arredondo et al, ; Liu et al, ; Konschake and Fritsch, ; Liang et al, , ; Bernal‐Mañas et al, ; Thorpe Lowis et al, ; Ottone et al, ).…”

“…Different materials can be used to make the block in which the samples to be cut are frozen; Soal et al () described the use of polyurethane foam. Liang et al (, ) embedded human heads in 20% gelatin and produced a gelatin block frozen at −30°C; after that, the gelatin block was frozen for 24 hr at −80°C.…”

“…Most authors carried out dehydration at −25°C (Eckel et al, ; Fritsch, ; Sha et al, ; Johnson and Zhang, ; Sora et al, , , , , , , ; Qiu et al, , ; Lunacek et al, ; Nash et al, , ; Porzionato et al, ; Sora and Genser‐Strobl, ; Fritsch et al, ; Sora and Cook, ; Macchi et al, ; Elnady and Sora, ; Soal et al, ; Koslowsky et al, , ; Kürtül et al, ; Wegman et al, ; Arredondo et al, ; Konschake and Fritsch, ; Scali et al, , ; Ottone et al, ), except for Zhang and Lee (), Leaper et al (), Chen et al (), Liu et al (), Liang et al (, ), and Thorpe Lowis et al (), who used a temperature of −30°C. In all cases, the volumes of acetone necessary for dehydration started at over 90% and reached 100% in the final acetone bath.…”

“…In the degreasing stage, the fat in the specimens is eliminated at ambient temperature. Some authors use 100% acetone for this stage, exploiting its degreasing power (Steinke, ; Zhang and Lee, ; Leaper et al, ; Nash et al, , ; Macchi et al, ; Soal et al, ; Kürtül et al, ; Chen et al, ; Liu et al, ; Wegman et al, ; Liang et al, , ; Thorpe Lowis et al, ; Ottone et al, ). Other authors use MeCl as the degreasing agent, known for its powerful action but more toxic than acetone (Eckel et al, ; Fritsch, ; Sittel et al, ; Sora et al, , , , , , 2004; Lunacek et al, ; Sora and Genser‐Strobl, ; Fritsch et al, ; Al‐Ali et al, ; Elnady and Sora, ; Koslowsky et al, , ; Konschake and Fritsch, ).…”

“…The method prevents decomposition of the sample and encrusts it in transparent epoxy to create an optical interface of high tissue quality (Marks et al, ). Furthermore, the slices obtained can easily be used for morphometric processing (Sora et al, ): Didenko et al () performed a morphometric analysis of the right atrium, Liang et al (, ) analyzed the morphometry of the transcranial segment of the trigeminal nerve, and Bernal‐Mañas et al () studied the lateral pterygoid muscle and its arrangement in the condyle of the mandible, identifying several muscular fascicles and their insertions and providing morphometric details. Other examples will be mentioned in this article.…”