Variability in Wall Thickness and Related Structures of Major Dural Sinuses in Posterior Cranial Fossa: A Microscopic Anatomical Study and Clinical Implications

Abstract

Background: Regional variability in dural sinus (DS) wall thickness in posterior cranial fossa (PCF) have not been studied in detail yet.

Objective: To clarify the possible regional variability in DS wall thickness and determine the occurrence and localization of the chordae Willisii (CW) in PCF.

Methods: Fifty-nine human cadaveric DSs of PCF were investigated. A measurement of the DS walls/dura mater/CW thickness of parafin-embedded/hematoxylin-eosin stained axial sections was performed by using Cell Sens Science Imaging Software (Olympus Corporation, Tokyo, Japan).

Results: The osseus wall (OW) was the thickest one in the confluens sinuum (CS) and the thinnest one in the jugular bulb (JB) and sigmoid sinus (P < .05). The biggest differences between individual walls were observed in the JB where the superior wall was almost twice as thick as the OW. At the transverse-sigmoid junction, the thickness of the walls was comparable. In the CS and transverse sinuses, the OW was even thicker than the surrounding dura mater. The occurrence and thickness of the CW increased from the JB towards CS and prevailed on the right side. An overall number of the CW in PCF was comparable to that observed in the superior sagittal sinus.

Conclusion: The present study displayed for the first time the regional variability in the DS walls thickness and occurrence of the CW in PCF. Application of these findings may afford greater freedom in exposure of the DSs or neoplasms adhering to the DSs.

Keywords: Chordae willisii; Dural sinus; Posterior cranial fossa; Wall thickness.