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Morphological variations of the dural venous sinuses: a cadaveric study
Burcu Kamaşak Arpaçay1, Kenan Aycan1
1Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, Kırşehir, Türkiye.
Frontiers in Surgery
|June 1, 2026
Summary
Anatomical variations in dural venous sinuses, especially the confluence of sinuses, are common. Understanding these variations is vital for accurate diagnosis and surgical planning in neuroimaging and procedures.
Area of Science:
- Neuroanatomy
- Vascular Anatomy
- Radiology
Background:
- Dural venous sinuses are critical for cerebral venous drainage.
- Anatomical variability in these sinuses, particularly the confluence of sinuses (CS), is significant.
- Variations can impact radiological interpretation and surgical planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate anatomical variations of the dural venous sinuses.
- To focus on features relevant to diagnosing venous pathologies.
- To enhance understanding of the confluence of sinuses anatomy.
Main Methods:
- Anatomical study on 15 adult cadaver brains.
- Dissection and exposure of dural venous sinuses around the CS.
- Documentation of sinus presence, drainage, position, and width using digital calipers.
Main Results:
- Significant variability observed in dural venous sinus anatomy.
- Confluence of sinuses absent in 20% of cases.
- Frequent asymmetry, hypoplasia, or absence of sinuses (OS, TS, StS) noted; multiple drainage patterns and accessory sinuses identified.
Conclusions:
- Awareness of dural venous sinus variations is crucial.
- Essential for avoiding misdiagnosis of venous pathology.
- Optimizes radiological assessment and surgical planning for posterior cranial fossa and cerebrovascular procedures.
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