[Selective catheterization of the inferior petrosal sinus]

The inferior petrosal sinus is a dura sinus which traverses laterally and dorsally from the dorsal aspect of the cavernous sinus. It represents the nearest catheterization point for blood sampling from the pituitary gland. Inferior petrosal sinus venous sampling is used for diagnosis and lateralization of ACTH-secreting and growth hormone-producing hypophyseal adenomas. It is also used in the differential diagnosis of ectopic production of ACTH or other similar peptides. We briefly describe the anatomy of the inferior petrosal sinus and the catheterization technique, based on our experience from 15 patients. The endocrinological results are published in a separate article.