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The dural entrance of cerebral bridging veins into the superior sagittal sinus: an anatomical comparison between cadavers and digital subtraction angiography

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Abstract

Introduction

Intracranial venous structures have received increasing attention due to improved neuroimaging techniques and increased awareness of cerebral venous disease. To date, few studies have attempted to investigate the dural entrance of the cerebral bridging vein (BV). The aim of this study was to use the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) as an example to identify anatomical features of the dural entrance of the BVs into the SSS in both human cadavers and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) images.

Methods

A total of 30 adult and 7 fetal human cadavers and 36 patients were examined with anatomical dissections, vascular casting and DSA. The number, diameter and angle of the BVs entering the SSS were measured and compared between the cadavers and DSA images.

Results

The results demonstrated that (1) the way a BV entered the SSS varied in three dimensions, and thus the BV dural entrance was difficult to precisely localize by DSA, (2) the distribution pattern of the dural entrance of the BVs into the SSS was relatively constant and a nontributary segment of the SSS was centered at the coronal suture and was identifiable by DSA, and (3) nearly all the BVs (97%, 561/581) entered the SSS at an angle opposite to the direction of blood flow.

Conclusion

Unique anatomical features of the dural entrance of a BV into the SSS should be considered in neuroimaging interpretation of the sinus and its associated veins.

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Acknowledgements

The generosity of the Department of Anatomy and Department of Radiology, Anhui Medical University, for providing access to cadavers, neuroimages and technical assistance is acknowledged. The cadavers were bequeathed for medical education and research purposes and were used with the approval of the Medical Ethic Committee of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China. The project was funded by the Natural Sciences Foundation of Anhui, China (reference no. 050430602) and a University of Otago Research Grant, New Zealand (reference no. 0020030825).

Conflict of interest statement

We declare that we have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China

    Hui Han & Wei Tao

  2. Department of Anatomy & Structural Biology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 913, Dunedin, 9001, New Zealand

    Ming Zhang

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  1. Hui Han
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  2. Wei Tao
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Correspondence to Ming Zhang.

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Han, H., Tao, W. & Zhang, M. The dural entrance of cerebral bridging veins into the superior sagittal sinus: an anatomical comparison between cadavers and digital subtraction angiography. Neuroradiology 49, 169–175 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-006-0175-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-006-0175-z

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