Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

A comparative study of thin-layer cross-sectional anatomic morphology and CT images of the basal cistern and its application in acute craniocerebral traumas

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Aim

To compare the cross-sectional morphologic features of successive thin-layers and CT images of the basal cistern and its application in the diagnosis and management of acute craniocerebral traumas.

Materials and methods

Successive thin-layer cross-sectional images of the basal cistern were retrieved from the second Chinese visible human (CVH) data set and observed. A total of 40 healthy volunteers were subjected to 64-slice spiral CT scan of the head, and CT images of the basal cistern were compared with CVH images. A total of 413 patients with acute craniocerebral traumas were subjected to 64-slice spiral CT scan of the head, CT image changes of the basal cistern were observed.

Results

Thin-layer cross-sectional images retrieved from the CVH data set clearly displayed the sectional anatomic morphology, morphologic change pattern and important adjacent structures of the basal cistern. The quadrigeminal cistern was pateriform or sellaeform; the suprasellar cistern was hexagonal or pentagonal star-shaped; the ambient cistern encircled both sides of the brainstem like an arc band. CT images of the quadrigeminal and ambient cisterns were similar with their CVH images; however, the morphology of the suprasellar cistern changed substantially. In 413 patients with acute craniocerebral traumas, the basal cistern may be normal, or presented with narrowing, obliteration, shift, hematocele, and pneumatosis. Narrowing or obliteration of the basal cistern occurred mostly at the side of dominant intracranial lesions, and frequently occurred in patients with diffuse axonal injury or combination of SDH + CONT + ICH.

Conclusions

Thin-layer cross-sectional images of the basal cistern retrieved from the CVH data set correspond satisfactorily to CT images of the basal cistern. Comparison of the two types of images can provide a sectional anatomic basis for the image identification of acute craniocerebral traumas. A careful observation on the initial CT images of the basal cistern for anatomic morphologic changes will help diagnose acute craniocerebral traumas early, improve the management, and appropriately predict the prognosis of the condition.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Alkan A, Sigirci A, Ozveren MF et al (2004) The cisternal segment of the abducens nerve in man: three-dimensional MR imaging. Eur J Radiol 51:218–222

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Andronikou S, Wieselthaler N, Smith B et al (2005) Value of early follow-up CT in paediatric tuberculous meningitis. Pediatr Radiol 35:1092–1099

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Chakeres DW, Kapila A (1985) Radiology of the ambient cistern. Part I: Normal. Neuroradiology 27:383–389

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Chung MS, Kim SY (2000) Three-dimensional image and virtual dissection program of the brain made of Korean cadaver. Yonsei Med J 41:299–303

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Guo YL, Heng PA, Zhang SX et al (2005) Thin sectional anatomy, three-dimensional reconstruction and visualization of the heart from the Chinese visible human. Surg Radiol Anat 27:113–118

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Han DR, Jin CHH, Shen HJ et al (1999) CT measurements on subarachnoid cistern of Chinese. Chin J Med Imaging Technol 15:173–174

    Google Scholar 

  7. Heng PA, Xie Y, Wang X et al (2006) Virtual acupuncture human based on Chinese visible human dataset. Stud Health Technol Inform 119:194–197

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Heng PA, Zhang SX, Xie YM et al (2006) Photorealistic virtual anatomy based on Chinese visible human data. Clin Anat 19:232–239

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Kazanis I (2005) CNS injury research; reviewing the last decade: methodological errors and a proposal for a new strategy. Brain Res Brain Res Rev 50:377–386

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Kuuliala I (1980) The normal suprasellar subarachnoid space in computed tomography. Clin Radiol 31:155–159

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Li L, Liu YX, Song ZJ (2006) Three-dimensional reconstruction of registered and fused Chinese visible human and patient MRI images. Clin Anat 19:225–231

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Li QY, Zhang SX, Heng PA et al (2004) A study of the parapharyngeal space on the Chinese visible human. Surg Radiol Anat 26:411–416

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Liliequist B (1956) The anatomy of the subarachnoid cisterns. Acta Radiol 46:61–71

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Lv J, Zhu XL (2005) Characteristics of distribution and configuration of intracranial arachnoid membranes. Surg Radiol Anat 27:472–481

    Google Scholar 

  15. Maas AI, Hukkelhoven CW, Marshall LF et al (2005) Prediction of outcome in traumatic brain injury with computed tomographic characteristics: a comparison between the computed tomographic classification and combinations of computed tomographic predictors. Neurosurgery 57:1173–1182

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Maas AI, Steyerberg EW, Butcher I et al (2007) Prognostic value of computerized tomography scan characteristics in traumatic brain injury: results from the IMPACT study. J Neurotrauma 24:303–314

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Marshall LF, Marshall SB, Klauber MR et al (1991) A new classification of head injury based on computerized tomography. J Neurosurg 75:S14–S20

    Google Scholar 

  18. Provenzale J (2007) CT and MR imaging of acute cranial trauma. Emerg Radiol 14:1–12

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Qiu MG, Zhang SX, Liu ZJ et al (2004) Visualization of the temporal bone of the Chinese visible human. Surg Radiol Anat 26:149–152

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Ratanalert S, Chompikul J, Hirunpat S et al (2002) Prognosis of severe head injury: an experience in Thailand. Br J Neurosurg 16:487–493

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Rhoton AL Jr (2000) The posterior fossa cisterns. Neurosurgery 47:287–297

    Google Scholar 

  22. Spitzer VM, Whitlock DG (1998) The visible human dataset: the anatomical platform for human simulation. Anat Rec 253:49–57

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Toyama Y, Kobayashi T, Nishiyama Y et al (2005) CT for acute stage of closed head injury. Radiat Med 23:309–316

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Wang CT (2006) Mechanical virtual human of China. J Med Biomech 21:172–178

    Google Scholar 

  25. Wiggli U, Benz UF (1978) Normal computed tomography anatomy of the suprasellar subarachnoid space. Radiology 128:65–70

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Yasargil MG, Kasdaglis K, Jain KK et al (1976) Anatomical observations of the subarachnoid cisterns of the brain during surgery. J Neurosurg 44:298–302

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Zhang SX, Heng PA, Liu ZJ et al (2004) The Chinese visible human (CVH) datasets incorporate technical and imaging advances on earlier digital humans. J Anat 204:165–173

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Zhang WG, Zhang SX, Wu BH (2002) A study on sectional anatomy of oculomotor nerve and its related blood vessels with plastination and MRI. Surg Radiol Anat 24:277–284

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Zhang SX, Heng PA, Liu ZJ (2006) Chinese visible human project. Clin Anat 19:204–215

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 60771025) and the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (No. 2006AA01Z310).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Third Military Medical University, 400038, Chongqing, China

    Rong Chen, Shaoxiang Zhang, Liwen Tan & Qiyu Li

  2. Department of Radiology, Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, 400042, Chongqing, China

    Weiguo Zhang

  3. State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Department 4, Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, 400042, Chongqing, China

    Hui Zhao

Authors
  1. Rong Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Shaoxiang Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Weiguo Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Liwen Tan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Qiyu Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Hui Zhao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shaoxiang Zhang.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Chen, R., Zhang, S., Zhang, W. et al. A comparative study of thin-layer cross-sectional anatomic morphology and CT images of the basal cistern and its application in acute craniocerebral traumas. Surg Radiol Anat 31, 129–138 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-008-0417-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-008-0417-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation