Dural Venous System in the Cavernous Sinus: a Literature Review and Embryological, Functional, and Endovascular Clinical Considerations
Neurologia medico-chirurgica Advance Publication Date: April 11, 2016 Neurologia medico-chirurgica Advance Publication Date: April 11, 2016 REVIEW ARTICLE doi: 10.2176/nmc.ra.2015-0346 Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo) xx, xxx–xxx, xxxx Online April 11, 2016 Dural Venous System in the Cavernous Sinus: A Literature Review and Embryological, Functional, and Endovascular Clinical Considerations Yutaka MITSUHASHI,1 Koji HAYASAKI,2 Taichiro KAWAKAMI,3 Takashi NAGATA,1 Yuta KANESHIRO,2 Ryoko UMABA,4 and Kenji OHATA 3 1Department of Neurosurgery, Ishikiri-Seiki Hospital, Higashiosaka, Osaka; 2Department of Neurosurgery, Japan Community Health Care Organization, Hoshigaoka Medical Center, Hirakata, Osaka; 3Department of Neurosurgery, Osaka City University, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Osaka; 4Department of Neurosurgery, Osaka Saiseikai Nakatsu Hospital, Osaka, Osaka Abstract The cavernous sinus (CS) is one of the cranial dural venous sinuses. It differs from other dural sinuses due to its many afferent and efferent venous connections with adjacent structures. It is important to know well about its complex venous anatomy to conduct safe and effective endovascular interventions for the CS. Thus, we reviewed previous literatures concerning the morphological and functional venous anatomy and the embryology of the CS. The CS is a complex of venous channels from embryologically different origins. These venous channels have more or less retained their distinct original roles of venous drainage, even after alterations through the embryological developmental process, and can be categorized into three longitudinal venous axes based on their topological and functional features. Venous channels medial to the internal carotid artery “medial venous axis” carry venous drainage from the skull base, chondrocranium and the hypophysis, with no direct participation in cerebral drainage.
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