Ossification around intercavernous sinus: An osteological finding that can complicate trans - sphenoidal surgery.

Area of Science:

• Anatomy
• Neurosurgery
• Radiology

Background:

• The sella turcica region is critical for neurosurgical interventions.
• Anatomical variations in this area can pose significant surgical challenges.
• Documenting rare anatomical findings is crucial for surgical planning and safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document a unique anatomical variation of an osseous bar near the sella turcica.
• To describe the morphology and dimensions of this variation.
• To assess its potential implications for neurosurgical procedures.

Main Methods:

• Examination of a human skull specimen.
• Identification and description of a low-lying osseous bar connecting the right middle clinoid process to the dorsum sella.
• Measurement of the sella turcica bridge (STB), carotico-clinoid foramen (CCF), interclinoid foramen (ICF), and the osseous bar/foramen using ImageJ software.

Main Results:

• A unilateral, low-lying osseous bar forming a foramen near the inferior intercavernous sinus was observed.
• Measurements of STB, CCF, and ICF showed bilateral asymmetry.
• The osseous bar and its associated foramen were unilateral, precluding direct bilateral comparison.

Conclusions:

• The identified osseous bar represents a rare anatomical variation.
• The presence of this foramen near the inferior intercavernous sinus may increase hemorrhage risk during transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) or extended TSS (eTSS).
• Awareness of such variations is vital for neurosurgeons to prevent intraoperative complications.