Morphologic Study of Positional Relationship Between Transverse-Sigmoid Sinus and Extracranial Bony Landmarks With Reconstructed Computed Tomographic Image

By using the line between the lowest point of the mastoid process and the external occipital protuberance as landmarks, to locate the projection of the transverse-sigmoid sinus (TSS) on the skull surface using three-dimensional reconstruction technique, to provide morphological basis for avoiding TSS injuries during surgeries. A total of 120 volunteers underwent computed tomography scan, and computed tomography reconstruction was used to reconstruct the 3D model of the skull for structural landmark and measurement. The line between the most prominent point (A) of external occipital protuberance and the lowest point (B) of mastoid process was used as the landmark to depict distance between the TSS sulcus and the landmarks, as well as the width of the TSS sulcus. The widths of the transverse sinus sulcus, denoted as d, at its central landmark J were measured to be significantly different between the right and left sides (t = 6.291, P 0.05), or between the males and females (P > 0.05). These above-mentioned results can help to locate the projection of the TSS sulcus on the skull surface accurately, which is simple and convenient in guiding the surgeons to protect the TSS during surgeries.