"Hammock" suspending the superior ophthalmic vein: a magnetic resonance imaging study

The present study aimed to explore the hammock-like structure suspending the superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Following conventional MRI examination, 93 outpatients underwent thin-sliced, coronal T2-weighted and contrast imaging of the orbit.

SOVs were consistently detected in all 93 patients. In 90.3% of patients, a hammock-like structure suspending the SOV was identified, which was present on both sides in 64.5% of patients. The structure was frequently located in the anterior and middle thirds of the retrobulbar orbit, suspended from the superolateral corner of the orbital walls. The medial edge of the hammocks did not reach the orbital walls; therefore, they partially encased the SOV. The morphology of the hammock was highly variable between patients, although none were tethered to the extraocular muscles. In addition, a septal band connecting the hammock and optic sheath was identified in 36.6% of patients, most frequently located in the posterior third of the retrobulbar orbit.

The hammock suspending the SOV and the septal band connecting the hammock and optic sheath may be structures that loosely anchor the SOV to the orbital fat to maintain a constant SOV flow, in addition to preventing excessive bends and obstructions.