PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Mitsuhashi, Y.
AU  - Nishio, A.
AU  - Kawahara, S.
AU  - Ichinose, T.
AU  - Yamauchi, S.
AU  - Naruse, H.
AU  - Matsuoka, Y.
AU  - Ohata, K.
AU  - Hara, M.
TI  - Morphologic Evaluation of the Caudal End of the Inferior Petrosal Sinus Using 3D Rotational Venography
AID  - 10.3174/ajnr.A0489
DP  - 2007 Jun 01
TA  - American Journal of Neuroradiology
PG  - 1179--1184
VI  - 28
IP  - 6
4099  - http://www.ajnr.org/content/28/6/1179.short
4100  - http://www.ajnr.org/content/28/6/1179.full
SO  - Am. J. Neuroradiol.2007 Jun 01; 28
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The inferior petrosal sinus (IPS) is the main transvenous access route used to examine or treat lesions involving the cavernous sinus. To carry out these procedures successfully, one must have a detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the venous system around the junction of the IPS and the internal jugular vein (IJV).MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-three sides in 63 patients (26 men, 37 women; mean, 56.5 years of age) were examined by using 3D rotational venography (3DRV).RESULT: The drainage patterns of the IPS could be classified into the following 6 types, with emphasis on the level of IPS-IJV junction: type A, the IPS drains into the jugular bulb in 1/83 sides (1.2%); type B, the IPS drains into the IJV at the level of the extracranial opening of the hypoglossal canal in 29/83 sides (34.9%); type C, the IPS drains into the lower extracranial IJV in 31/83 sides (37.3%); type D, the IPS forms a plexus and has multiple junctions to the IJV near the jugular foramen in 5/83 sides (6.0%); type E, the IPS drains directly into the vertebral venous plexus (VVP) with no connection to the IJV in 3/83 sides (3.6%); and type F, the IPS is absent in 14/83 sides (16.9%). Each type is also characterized by the way of anastomosis with the VVP.CONCLUSION: This classification seemed to be rational from the embryologic viewpoint, and it may be useful in establishing treatment strategies that involve endovascular manipulation via the IPS.