Morphology of the groove of the inferior petrosal sinus: application to better understanding variations and surgery of the skull base

Abstract

Although adequate venous drainage from the cranium is imperative for maintaining normal intracranial pressure, the bony anatomy surrounding the inferior petrosal sinus and the potential for a compressive canal or tunnel has, to our knowledge, not been previously investigated. One hundred adult human skulls (200 sides) were observed and documented for the presence or absence of an inferior petrosal groove or canal. Measurements were made and a classification developed to help better understand their anatomy and discuss it in future reports. We identified an inferior petrosal sinus groove (IPSG) in the majority of specimens. The IPSG began anteriorly where the apex of the petrous part of the temporal bone articulated with the sphenoid part of the clivus, traveled posteriorly, in a slight medial to lateral course, primarily just medial to the petro-occipital fissure, and ended at the anteromedial aspect of the jugular foramen. When the IPSGs were grouped into five types. In type I specimens, no IPSG was identified (10.0%), in type II specimens, a partial IPSG was identified (6.5%), in type III specimens, a complete IPSG (80.0%) was identified, in type IV specimens, a partial IPS tunnel was identified (2.5%), and in type V specimens, a complete tunnel (1.0%) was identified. An improved knowledge of the bony pathways that the intracranial dural venous sinuses take as they exit the cranium is clinically useful. Radiological interpretation of such bony landmarks might improve patient diagnoses and surgically, such anatomy could decrease patient morbidity during approaches to the posterior cranial fossa.

Twenty Intracranial Skull Base Variations in the Same Specimen

“…Gupta et al studied 50 dry skulls and found that complete septation was found in 44% on the right side and 42% on the left side [24]. We recently published an anatomical study where the different septations of the jugular foramen were classified [2,25].…”

Morphological analysis and morphometry of the occipital condyle and its relationship to the foramen magnum, jugular foramen, and hypoglossal canal: implications for craniovertebral junction surgery

“…OC resection extended to HC in patients with an anteriorly located HC may increase the risk of CVJ instability [ 16 ]. JF is a canal that contains the jugular bulb and cranial nerves including the glossopharyngeal (CN IX), vagus (CN X), and accessory nerve (CN XI) [ 21 , 22 ]. The JF should be avoided during an OC resection because it may cause damage to neurovascular structures that pass through it [ 19 ].…”