Objective: The main objective of the study was to show the morphologic features of optic strut (OS) and prechiasmatic sulcus (PS) in the fetal skull base with a surgical anatomical perspective.
Methods: Twenty-three fetal cadavers (9 female, 14 male) with an average age of 21.70 ± 3.12 (range: 16-28) weeks of gestation in the inventory of the Anatomy Department were included in the study. Measurements were made with a digital image analysis software and goniometer.
Results: The sulcal length, interoptic distance, planum length, and sulcal angle were detected as follows: 3.91 ± 0.74 mm, 6.88 ± 1.04 mm, 6.55 ± 1.51 mm, and 24.52 ± 9.51°, respectively. Considering the location of the posteromedial margin of OS according to PS, OS was identified as the sulcal in 56.5% (13 cases), postsulcal in 30.4% (7 cases), and asymmetric in 13% (3 cases). According to the sulcal length and angle, PS was identified as type 1 in 26.1% (6 cases), type 2 in 21.7% (5 cases), type 3 in 30.4% (7 cases), and type 4 in 21.7% (5 cases).
Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the sulcal length and angle reach adult size in utero. Taking into account the fetal and the gathered adult measurements, the high percentage of steep angle compared to flat angle show that after birth, PS become more flat, probably depending on the variations of the sphenoid sinus pneumatization. Thus, more studies conducted on the alterations in PS and OS types relative to the pneumatization are needed in terms of patient positioning, selection of appropriate surgical approach, and intraoperative decision-making.
Keywords: Fetus; Optic strut; Prechiasmatic sulcus; Sulcal angle; Sulcal length.
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