DOCSLIB.ORG

Imaging Lesions of the Cavernous Sinus

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Imaging Lesions of the Cavernous Sinus REVIEW ARTICLE Imaging Lesions of the Cavernous Sinus A.A.K. Abdel Razek SUMMARY: Our aim was to review the imaging findings of relatively common lesions involving the M. Castillo cavernous sinus (CS), such as neoplastic, inflammatory, and vascular ones. The most common are neurogenic tumors and cavernoma. Tumors of the nasopharynx, skull base, and sphenoid sinus may extend to the CS as can perineural and hematogenous metastases. Inflammatory, infective, and granulomatous lesions show linear or nodular enhancement of the meninges of the CS but often have nonspecific MR imaging features. In many of these cases, involvement elsewhere suggests the diagnosis. MR imaging is sensitive for detecting vascular lesions such as carotid cavernous fistulas, aneurysms, and thromboses. he cavernous sinus (CS) contains vital neurovascular orbital fissure anteriorly to the Meckel cave and farther poste- Tstructures that may be affected by vascular, neoplastic, in- riorly to the dura and the pores that allow nerves to enter it. Its fective, and infiltrative lesions arising in the CS proper or via transverse diameter is 5–7 mm, its vertical diameter is 5–8 extension from adjacent intra- and extracranial regions. Pa- mm, and its anteroposterior diameter is 10–15 mm. The CS is tients with CS syndrome usually present with paresis of 1 or composed of a network of small venous channels that may more cranial nerves (IIIϪVI), which may be associated with arbitrarily be divided into different compartments. The main painful ophthalmoplegia. The clinician needs to know the type venous influx into the CS is the superior and inferior ophthal- of CS lesion, its relationship to crucial neurovascular struc- mic veins, pterygoid plexus, and Sylvian vein. The outflow of tures, and its extension into the surrounding tissues. These the CS occurs via the superior and inferior petrosal sinuses. findings are essential for deciding therapeutic modalities such The internal carotid artery (ICA) is the most medial structure as microsurgery, radiation therapy, or medical treatment as inside the CS and is contained in the so-called carotid trigone. well as for appropriate planning of surgery or radiation ther- Cranial nerves III and IV and the first and second divisions of apy.1-8 Because the MR imaging features of many of these le- the cranial nerve V (from superior to inferior) are located in sions overlap and are often nonspecific, we will emphasize the lateral dural wall of the CS (called the oculomotor trigone). those features that allow one to formulate a reasonable differ- Cranial nerve V courses in the central part of the CS inferolat- ential diagnosis. eral to the ICA. Inside, the CS is a multiseptate space, which shows intense contrast enhancement of the slower flowing ve- Imaging Protocol and Anatomy nous blood. The ICA appears as a signal-intensity void struc- MR imaging of the CS should include routine T2, fluid-atten- ture.3-7 Occasionally, the CS may contain fatty deposits that uated inversion recovery (FLAIR), and precontrast T1- are normal (Fig 1). These fatty zones may be more prominent weighted images of the entire brain. Postcontrast T1-weighted in obese patients or those with Cushing syndrome or receiving Յ3-mm-thick images should be obtained in the axial and exogenous steroid therapy. coronal planes with at least 1 plane imaged with a fat-satura- tion technique. Thin-section postcontrast axial images may be Neoplastic Lesions acquired by 3D spoiled gradient techniques. We generally im- age from the orbital apex through the prepontine cistern. Schwannoma Thin-section 3D heavily T2-weighted images (such as con- A trigeminal nerve schwannoma commonly involves the CS structive interference in steady state or fast imaging employing and, in 50% of instances, has a typical dumbbell-shape with steady-state acquisition) may allow visualization of individual bulky tumor in the Meckel cave and the prepontine cistern cranial nerves in the CS and adjacent cisterns. CT is best per- with a waist at the porous trigeminus. Conversely, it may be formed by using a multidetector scanner after intravenous ad- found only involving the Meckel cave (Fig 2). It may be solid ministration of iodinated contrast medium. Acquisitions in or have variable cystic or hemorrhagic components with oc- axial or coronal planes by using Ͻ1-mm-thick sections may be casional fluid levels. Small tumors tend to be homogeneous, obtained and then reformatted in other planes.2-7 whereas large ones are frequently heterogeneous in appear- The CS is composed of 2 layers of dura that split to form a ance. Schwannomas are isointense-to-hypointense masses on septate venous channel. Each dural wall contains an outer T1 images, mostly T2 hyperintense, and show contrast en- layer apposed to bone and an inner layer in contact with blood hancement. A clue to the diagnosis is that they follow the ex- or CSF. The CS extends from the orbital apex and superior pected course of the nerves from which they arise. Schwanno- mas may arise from other cranial nerves in the CS, particularly Received August 14, 2008; accepted after revision October 2. cranial nerve III. Multiple CS schwannomas and bilateral From the Department of Diagnostic Radiology (A.A.K.A.R.), Masnoura Faculty of Medicine, acoustic ones are seen in patients with neurofibromatosis type Mansoura, Egypt; and Department of Radiology (M.C.), University of North Carolina, Chapel 2.9-13 Hill, NC. Please address correspondence to Ahmed Abdel Khalek Abdel Razek, MD, Diagnostic Plexiform Neurofibroma Radiology Department, 62 El Nokri St, Meet Hadr, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura, Egypt; e-mail: [email protected] Plexiform neurofibromas most commonly involve the trigem- Indicates open access to non-subscribers at www.ajnr.org inal nerve, especially its first and second branches. A sugges- tive imaging feature is a tortuous or fusiform enlargement of DOI 10.3174/ajnr.A1398 the nerves that exhibit heterogeneous signal intensity. Unlike 444 Abdel Razek ͉ AJNR 30 ͉ Mar 2009 ͉ www.ajnr.org Fig 1. Normal fat deposits. Axial noncontrast CT scan shows normal and incidentally found deposits of fat (arrowheads) in the posterior CSs. These deposits may be seen in obese individuals, those taking corticosteroids, or those with Cushing syndrome. In the absence Fig 3. Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. Coronal postcontrast T1-weighted image of these conditions, they have no significance. shows a large aggressive-appearing mass that involves the left CS, surrounds the ICA (arrow), erodes the middle cranial fossa floor, and extends into the infratemporal region. primary CS tumors along with schwannoma and meningi- oma. This tumor is formed by sinusoidal spaces with endothe- lial lining that contain slow-flowing or stagnant blood. A pre- operative diagnosis is important because of its propensity to bleed at the time of resection. These tumors are nearly hyper- REVIEW ARTICLE intense on T1- and T2-weighted images and are attached to the outer wall of the CS, and their diagnosis may be suggested when they show progressive “filling in” after contrast admin- istration. Other times, they show nonspecific intense homo- geneous or heterogeneous contrast enhancement (Fig 4).16-19 Meningioma Most CS meningiomas arise from the lateral dural wall, but sometimes they may be exclusively inside the CS. A meningi- oma is usually hypo- to isointense with respect to gray matter in all MR imaging sequences and enhances intensely (Fig 5A). A dural tail frequently can be seen extending away from the Fig 2. Schwannoma. Axial postcontrast T1-weighted image shows a well-defined enhanc- edge of the tumor and often into the ipsilateral tentorium. ing mass (arrow) involving the Meckel cave on the right. Although the findings are Meningiomas constrict the lumen of the ICA. Meningiomas nonspecific, the most common mass in this location is a schwannoma. may extend inside the CS and the Meckel cave and via the schwannomas, neurofibromas are less likely to extend to the porous trigeminus into the prepontine cistern. They may have Meckel cave. They are seen in 30% of patients with neurofi- an appearance very similar to schwannomas (Fig 5B).20-22 bromatosis type 1 but are extremely rare outside this disease.9,14 Pituitary Adenoma Pituitary adenomas may grow laterally and invade the CS. A Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor sign of CS invasion is encasement of the intracavernous ICA Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor is a high-grade sar- by Ͼ30% of its diameter or tumor extension lateral to the top coma that may infiltrate the CS. Large tumor size (Ͼ5 cm), (12 o’clock) of the ICA. Interposition of abnormal soft tissue ill-defined infiltrative margins, rapid growth, tumor signal- between the lateral wall of the CS and the ICA is a reliable intensity heterogeneity, and erosion of the skull base foramina indicator of CS invasion. Unlike meningiomas, pituitary ade- out of proportion to tumor size suggest its underlying malig- nomas generally do not narrow the ICA.23 nant nature (Fig 3).9,15 Its imaging findings are nonspecific, and the diagnosis is made by histology. Melanocytoma Primary melanocytomas originate from the leptomeninges of Cavernous Hemangioma the CS. The lesion is hyperintense with fine punctate areas of CS hemangioma is more commonly seen during the fifth de- decreased signal intensity on T1-weighted images and of low cade of life in female patients. It is among the most common signal intensity on T2-weighted images and shows no contrast AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 30:444–52 ͉ Mar 2009 ͉ www.ajnr.org 445 Fig 4. Cavernous hemangiomas. A, Axial postcontrast T1- weighted image shows a large and homogeneously enhanc- ing mass arising from the lateral wall of the left CS. B, Axial postcontrast T1-weighted image in a different cavernoma, which shows inhomogeneous contrast enhancement but also arises from the lateral wall of the CS, pushing the ICA (arrow) medially.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 1-Anatomy of the Pituitary Gland
    Color Code Important Anatomy of Pituitary Gland Doctors Notes Notes/Extra explanation Please view our Editing File before studying this lecture to check for any changes. Objectives At the end of the lecture, students should be able to: ✓ Describe the position of the pituitary gland. ✓ List the structures related to the pituitary gland. ✓ Differentiate between the lobes of the gland. ✓ Describe the blood supply of pituitary gland & the hypophyseal portal system. الغدة النخامية Pituitary Gland (also called Hypophysis Cerebri) o It is referred to as the master of endocrine glands. o It is a small oval structure 1 cm in diameter. o It doubles its size during pregnancy. lactation ,(الحمل) pregnancy ,(الحيض) A women experiences changes in her hormone levels during menstruation But only the pituitary gland will only increase in size during pregnancy .(سن اليأس) and menopause ,(الرضاعة) X-RAY SKULL: LATERAL VIEW SAGITTAL SECTION OF HEAD & NECK Extra Pituitary Gland Position o It lies in the middle cranial fossa. o It is well protected in sella turcica* (hypophyseal fossa) of body of sphenoid o It lies between optic chiasma (anteriorly) & mamillary bodies** (posteriorly). Clinical point: *سرج الحصان Anterior to the pituitary gland is the optic chiasm, so if there was a tumor in the pituitary gland or it was ** Part of hypothalamus enlarged this could press on the chiasm and disrupt the patients vision (loss of temporal field). Extra Pictures The purple part is the sphenoid bone Hypophyseal fossa Pituitary Gland The relations are important Important Relations • SUPERIOR: Diaphragma sellae: A fold of dura mater covers the pituitary gland & has an opening for passage of infundibulum (pituitary stalk) connecting the gland to hypothalamus.
    [Show full text]
  • Carotid Cavernous Sinus Fistula with Central Retinal Artery Occlusion: a Case Report
    Carotid cavernous sinus fistula with central retinal artery occlusion: A case report Suntaree Thitiwichienlert1, Chonwarat Phattarapongdilok1, Paiboon Bawornwattanadilok1 1Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine Thammasat University, Thailand Background: A carotid-cavernous sinus fistula (CCF) is an abnormal arteriovenous communication between the cavernous sinus and the internal carotid artery (ICA) and/or external carotid artery (ECA). Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is a rare posterior segment complication occurring as result of traumatic CCF from an ocular hypoperfusion. Case Report: We present a 58-year-old female complaining of acute visual loss, with redness and swelling of the right eye following a motor vehicle accident. Her visual acuity was light perception (PL) in the right eye and 20/40 in the left eye. The intraocular pressure (IOP) was 52 mm Hg in the right eye and normal in the left eye. Eye examinations revealed proptosis, ptosis, complete total ophthalmoplegia and a 5-mm fixed dilated right pupil with relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD) positive in her right eye. The fundus examination showed CRAO in the right eye. Cerebral angiogra- phy revealed a high flow direct CCF Barrow’s type A. Endovascular treatment was performed using balloon embolization. During the one-year follow-up, the patient had improvement of eye redness, proptosis, and ophthalmoplegia. However, the visual prognosis was poor due to optic atrophy and macular ischemia with the final visual acuity of PL. Conclusion: A complete fundus examination found vision- threatening complications in patients who have traumatic CCFs. Early recognition of CRAO is important in the management of these patients. Conflicts of interest: The authors report no confilcts of interest.
    [Show full text]
  • Non-Pathological Opacification of the Cavernous Sinus on Brain CT
    healthcare Article Non-Pathological Opacification of the Cavernous Sinus on Brain CT Angiography: Comparison with Flow-Related Signal Intensity on Time-of-Flight MR Angiography Sun Ah Heo 1, Eun Soo Kim 1,* , Yul Lee 1, Sang Min Lee 1, Kwanseop Lee 1 , Dae Young Yoon 2, Young-Su Ju 3 and Mi Jung Kwon 4 1 Department of Radiology, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Seoul 14068, Korea; [email protected] (S.A.H.); [email protected] (Y.L.); [email protected] (S.M.L.); [email protected] (K.L.) 2 Department of Radiology, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Seoul 14068, Korea; [email protected] 3 National Medical Center, Seoul 04564, Korea; [email protected] 4 Department of Pathology, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Seoul 14068, Korea; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: Purpose: To investigate the non-pathological opacification of the cavernous sinus (CS) on brain computed tomography angiography (CTA) and compare it with flow-related signal intensity (FRSI) on time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (TOF-MRA). Methods: Opacification of the CS was observed in 355 participants who underwent CTA and an additional 77 participants who underwent examination with three diagnostic modalities: CTA, TOF-MRA, and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Opacification of the CS, superior petrosal sinus (SPS), inferior petrosal sinus Citation: Heo, S.A.; Kim, E.S.; Lee, Y.; Lee, S.M.; Lee, K.; Yoon, D.Y.; Ju, Y.-S.; (IPS), and pterygoid plexus (PP) were also analyzed using a five-point scale.
    [Show full text]
  • Carotid-Cavernous Sinus Fistulas and Venous Thrombosis
    141 Carotid-Cavernous Sinus Fistulas and Venous Thrombosis Joachim F. Seeger1 Radiographic signs of cavernous sinus thrombosis were found in eight consecutive Trygve 0. Gabrielsen 1 patients with an angiographic diagnosis of carotid-cavernous sinus fistula; six were of 1 2 the dural type and the ninth case was of a shunt from a cerebral hemisphere vascular Steven L. Giannotta · Preston R. Lotz ,_ 3 malformation. Diagnostic features consisted of filling defects within the cavernous sinus and its tributaries, an abnormal shape of the cavernous sinus, an atypical pattern of venous drainage, and venous stasis. Progression of thrombosis was demonstrated in five patients who underwent follow-up angiography. Because of a high incidence of spontaneous resolution, patients with dural- cavernous sinus fistulas who show signs of venous thrombosis at angiography should be followed conservatively. Spontaneous closure of dural arteriovenous fistulas involving branches of the internal and/ or external carotid arteries and the cavernous sinus has been reported by several investigators (1-4). The cause of such closure has been speculative, although venous thrombosis recently has been suggested as a possible mechanism (3]. This report demonstrates the high incidence of progres­ sive thrombosis of the cavernous sinus associated with dural carotid- cavernous shunts, proposes a possible mechanism of the thrombosis, and emphasizes certain characteristic angiographic features which are clues to thrombosis in evolution, with an associated high incidence of spontaneous " cure. " Materials and Methods We reviewed the radiographic and medical records of eight consecutive patients studied at our hospital in 1977 who had an angiographic diagnosis of carotid- cavernous sinus Received September 24, 1979; accepted after fistula.
    [Show full text]
  • Dural Venous Channels: Hidden in Plain Sight–Reassessment of an Under-Recognized Entity
    Published July 16, 2020 as 10.3174/ajnr.A6647 ORIGINAL RESEARCH INTERVENTIONAL Dural Venous Channels: Hidden in Plain Sight–Reassessment of an Under-Recognized Entity M. Shapiro, K. Srivatanakul, E. Raz, M. Litao, E. Nossek, and P.K. Nelson ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Tentorial sinus venous channels within the tentorium cerebelli connecting various cerebellar and su- pratentorial veins, as well as the basal vein, to adjacent venous sinuses are a well-recognized entity. Also well-known are “dural lakes” at the vertex. However, the presence of similar channels in the supratentorial dura, serving as recipients of the Labbe, super- ficial temporal, and lateral and medial parieto-occipital veins, among others, appears to be underappreciated. Also under-recog- nized is the possible role of these channels in the angioarchitecture of certain high-grade dural fistulas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of 100 consecutive angiographic studies was performed following identification of index cases to gather data on the angiographic and cross-sectional appearance, location, length, and other features. A review of 100 consecutive dural fistulas was also performed to identify those not directly involving a venous sinus. RESULTS: Supratentorial dural venous channels were found in 26% of angiograms. They have the same appearance as those in the tentorium cerebelli, a flattened, ovalized morphology owing to their course between 2 layers of the dura, in contradistinction to a rounded cross-section of cortical and bridging veins. They are best appreciated on angiography and volumetric postcontrast T1- weighted images. Ten dural fistulas not directly involving a venous sinus were identified, 6 tentorium cerebelli and 4 supratentorial.
    [Show full text]
  • CT Observations Pertinent to Septic Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis
    755 CT Observations Pertinent to Septic Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis Jamshid Ahmadi1 The use of high-resolution computed tomography (CT) is described in four patients James R. Keane2 with septic cavernous sinus thrombosis, In all patients CT findings included multiple Hervey D. Segall1 irregular filling defects in the enhancing cavernous sinus. Unilateral or bilateral inflam­ Chi-Shing Zee 1 matory changes in the orbital soft tissues were also present. Enlargement of the superior ophthalmic vein due to extension of thrombophlebitis was noted in three patients. Since the introduction of antibiotics, septic cavernous sinus thrombosis (throm­ bophlebitis) has become a rare disease [1-4]. Despite considerable improvement in morbidity and mortality (previously almost universal), it remains a potentially lethal disease. The diagnosis of cavernous sinus thrombophlebitis requires a careful clinical evaluation supplemented with appropriate laboratory and radiographic studies. Current computed tomographic (CT) scanners (having higher spatial and contrast resolution) play an important role in the radiographic evaluation of the diverse pathologiC processes that involve the cavernous sinus [5-7]. The use of CT has been documented in several isolated cases [8-13], and small series [14] dealing with the diagnosis and management of cavernous sinus thrombophlebitis. CT scanning in these cases was reported to be normal in two instances [8 , 10]. In other cases so studied, CT showed abnormalities such as orbital changes [11 , 14], paranasal sinusitis [12], and associated manifestations of intracranial infection [9]; however, no mention was made in these cases of thrombosis within the cavernous sinus itself. Direct CT demonstration of thrombosis within the cavernous sinus has been rarely reported [13].
    [Show full text]
  • The Superior Ophthalmic Vein Approach for the Treatment of Carotid-Cavernous Fistulas: a Novel Technique Using Onyx
    Neurosurg Focus 32 (5):E13, 2012 The superior ophthalmic vein approach for the treatment of carotid-cavernous fistulas: a novel technique using Onyx NOHRA CHALOUHI, M.D.,1 AARON S. DUMONT, M.D.,1 STAVROPOULA TJOUMAKARIS, M.D.,1 L. FERNAndO GONZALEZ, M.D.,1 JURIJ R. BILYK, M.D.,2 CIRO RAndAZZO, M.D.,1 DAVID HASAN, M.D.,3 RICHARD T. DALYAI, M.D.,1 ROBERT ROSENWAssER, M.D.,1 And PASCAL JAbbOUR, M.D.1 1Department of Neurosurgery, Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience; 2Oculoplastic and Orbital Surgery Service, Wills Eye Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and 3Department of Neurosurgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa Object. Endovascular therapy is the primary treatment option for carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCFs). Operative cannulation of the superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) provides a reasonable alternative route to the cavernous sinus when all transvenous and transarterial approaches have been unsuccessful. The role of the liquid embolic agent Onyx in the management of CCFs has not been well documented, especially when using an SOV approach. The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of Onyx embolization of CCFs through a surgical cannulation of the SOV. Methods. The authors retrospectively reviewed all patients with CCFs who were treated with Onyx through an SOV approach between April 2009 and April 2011. Traditional endovascular approaches had failed in all patients. Results. A total of 10 patients were identified, 1 with a Type A CCF, 5 with a Type B CCF, and 4 with a Type D CCF. All fistulas were embolized in 1 session.
    [Show full text]
  • Cavernous Sinus
    Cavernous Sinus Developments and Future Perspectives Bearbeitet von Vinko V Dolenc, Larry Rogers 1. Auflage 2009. Buch. X, 227 S. Hardcover ISBN 978 3 211 72137 7 Format (B x L): 19,3 x 26 cm Gewicht: 980 g Weitere Fachgebiete > Medizin > Chirurgie schnell und portofrei erhältlich bei Die Online-Fachbuchhandlung beck-shop.de ist spezialisiert auf Fachbücher, insbesondere Recht, Steuern und Wirtschaft. Im Sortiment finden Sie alle Medien (Bücher, Zeitschriften, CDs, eBooks, etc.) aller Verlage. Ergänzt wird das Programm durch Services wie Neuerscheinungsdienst oder Zusammenstellungen von Büchern zu Sonderpreisen. Der Shop führt mehr als 8 Millionen Produkte. J. T. Keller et al., Venous anatomy of the lateral sellar compartment 41 tomeningeal artery through the superior orbital Both the sphenoid and Vesalian emissary veins drain fissure. whatPadgettermedthelateralwingof thecavernous According to Streeter [58], the superior petrosal sinus, a remnant of the pro-otic sinus. Browder and sinus appears in the 18-mm embryo. Padget identi- Kaplan refer to the sphenoid emissary vein as the fied the superior petrosal sinus at 14–16 mm as early trigeminal plexus [6, 24]. as Stage 4 (Fig. 2C). However, the definitive superior petrosal sinus is the last of the major adult sinuses to be formed. Of note, the superior petrosal sinus has Venous anatomy of the lateral sellar no well-defined communication with the cavernous compartment sinus and any communication that occurs is late in development. The lateral sellar compartment can be succinctly Special attention should be given to the develop- defined as the dural envelope that encloses the ment of the orbital veins. Before Stage 4, the primitive parasellar internal carotid artery (ICA).
    [Show full text]
  • The Suboccipital Cavernous Sinus
    The suboccipital cavernous sinus Kenan I. Arnautovic, M.D., Ossama Al-Mefty, M.D., T. Glenn Pait, M.D., Ali F. Krisht, M.D., and Muhammad M. Husain, M.D. Departments of Neurosurgery and Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and Laboratory Service, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Little Rock, Arkansas The authors studied the microsurgical anatomy of the suboccipital region, concentrating on the third segment (V3) of the vertebral artery (VA), which extends from the transverse foramen of the axis to the dural penetration of the VA, paying particular attention to its loops, branches, supporting fibrous rings, adjacent nerves, and surrounding venous structures. Ten cadaver heads (20 sides) were fixed in formalin, their blood vessels were perfused with colored silicone rubber, and they were dissected under magnification. The authors subdivided the V3 into two parts, the horizontal (V3h) and the vertical (V3v), and studied the anatomical structures topographically, from the superficial to the deep tissues. In two additional specimens, serial histological sections were acquired through the V3 and its encircling elements to elucidate their cross-sectional anatomy. Measurements of surgically and clinically important features were obtained with the aid of an operating microscope. This study reveals an astonishing anatomical resemblance between the suboccipital complex and the cavernous sinus, as follows: venous cushioning; anatomical properties of the V3 and those of the petrous­cavernous internal carotid artery (ICA), namely their loops, branches, supporting fibrous rings, and periarterial autonomic neural plexus; adjacent nerves; and skull base locations. Likewise, a review of the literature showed a related embryological development and functional and pathological features, as well as similar transitional patterns in the arterial walls of the V3 and the petrous-cavernous ICA.
    [Show full text]
  • Emissary Foramens of the Human Skull: Anatomical Characteristics and Its Relations with Clinical Neurosurgery
    Int. J. Morphol., 31(1):287-292, 2013. Emissary Foramens of the Human Skull: Anatomical Characteristics and its Relations with Clinical Neurosurgery Forámenes Emisarios del Cráneo Humano: Características Anatómicas y sus Relaciones con la Neurocirugía Clínica Alexandre Rodrigues Freire*; Ana Cláudia Rossi*; Viviane Cristina Souza de Oliveira**; Felippe Bevilacqua Prado*; Paulo Henrique Ferreira Caria* & Paulo Roberto Botacin*** FREIRE, A. R.; ROSSI, A. C.; DE OLIVEIRA, V. C. S.; PRADO, F. B.; CARIA, P. H. F. & BOTACIN, P. R. Emissary foramens of the human skull: Anatomical characteristics and its relations with clinical neurosurgery. Int. J. Morphol., 31(1):287-292, 2013. SUMMARY: The recognition of emissary foramens is important not only for understanding the regional neurovascular anatomy, but also to distinguish normal from potentially abnormal structures. Thus, the aim of this study was to review the literature on anatomical and clinical aspects of the mastoid, parietal and sphenoid emissary foramens. It was found that the emissary foramen presents importance in clinical practice because it acts as a route of spread of extracranial infection to the intracranial structures and also possible complications in neurosurgery, due to its influence in the performance of techniques such as radiofrequency rhizotomy for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. The anatomical knowledge of the emissary foramens is important due to variability in their incidence in the human skull and its relation to the dura mater sinuses. KEYWORDS: Emissary foramens; Veins; Neurosurgery; Dura mater. INTRODUCTION Anatomical variations of foramens of the skull have Therefore, some procedure failures can occur around the been of interest for neuroanatomists due to clinical foramen during instrumentation near those areas causing consequences that these structures can cause, especially in trauma to vascular and neural structures (Gözil et al., 1995).
    [Show full text]
  • Visual Impairment in High Flow and Low Flow Carotid Cavernous Fistula
    www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN Visual impairment in high fow and low fow carotid cavernous fstula Md. Shahid Alam 1, Mukesh Jain2, Bipasha Mukherjee1, Tarun Sharma2, Swatee Halbe3, Durgasri Jaisankar2 & Rajiv Raman2 Received: 15 November 2018 Our aim is to study the varied posterior segment manifestations, level of visual impairment (VI) and its Accepted: 22 August 2019 causes in carotid cavernous fstula (CCF) patients. A retrospective study was done, wherein data was Published: xx xx xxxx obtained from 48 digital subtraction angiogram (DSA) proven CCF patients. CCF was classifed according to Barrow et al., based on DSA into type A (high fow) and types B, C and D (low fow). High fow CCF was present in 8 (16.7%) and low fow CCF was present in 42 (83.3%). Compared to low fow group, patients in high fow group were younger and had a history of trauma (p < 0.05). Posterior segment fndings ranged from familiar stasis retinopathy and optic neuropathy (both, glaucomatous and ischemic) to uncommon fndings of central retinal artery occlusion, Terson syndrome and combined retinal and choroidal detachment. Retinal vein dilatation was the most common fnding in both groups. The high fow CCF group had 6 (75%) patients that had VI. This was acute in 4 (50%) patients and delayed in 2 (25%). In the low fow group 10 (23.8%) of patients had delayed VI. The identifcation of “3 point sign” is a novel fnding of this study, not described before. While none of three fndings (disc hyperaemia, retinal vein dilatation and intra-retinal haemorrhage) in isolation were predictive of visual loss, but when present together results in visual loss.
    [Show full text]
  • The "Cavernous" Sinus* by M
    Br J Ophthalmol: first published as 10.1136/bjo.50.1.41 on 1 January 1966. Downloaded from Brit. J. Ophthal. (1966) 50, 41 THE "CAVERNOUS" SINUS* BY M. A. BEDFORD Moorfields Eye Hospital, London THE cavernous sinus is a vascular channel of great importance not only in ophthal- mology but in many other branches of medicine. Descriptions of its structure are scattered in books and journals on ophthalmology, otorhinolaryngology, paediatrics, and dentistry as well as in the standard anatomical works. However, the descrip- tions of the sinus and its contents show great variation and it is the purpose of this paper to clarify the matter. Probably the earliest description of this sinus was by Ridley (1695), who placed the internal carotid artery against the lateral wall, "leaving no room at all for either blood or serum to be contained there". He noted with regard to the artery "a little interstice between itselfand the pituitary gland", and how this venous space communi- cated with that of the opposite side. The term "circular sinus" was suggested in his book, a name still sometimes applied. The presence of the fibrous trabeculae was http://bjo.bmj.com/ first noted by Winslow (1732), but his description of the other structures is not clear: "The internal carotid is bathed in the blood of the sinus together with the third, fourth, fifth and sixth pairs of nerves." It was Winslow who likened the interior of the sinus to that of the corpus cavernosum of the penis and applied the term "caver- nous", which has been used ever since.
    [Show full text]