The effect of the occipital sinus on the torcular Herophili and neighboring structures

Abstract

Objective: The occipital sinus (OS) has many variations. It is unknown whether OS can change the angioarchitecture of torcular Herophili. Therefore, we performed magnetic resonance venography (MRV) in a cohort of Han Chinese individuals to determine whether OS can change the angioarchitecture of torcular Herophili. Methods: Participants were divided into a normal OS group and a hyperplastic OS group. Parameters of the OS and torcular Herophili and its neighboring structures were recorded. Statistical analysis was used to determine the effects of OS on torcular Herophili and neighboring structures. Results: One hundred forty-five healthy participants were enrolled. One hundred patients were in the normal OS group, and 45 were in the hyperplastic OS group. In the normal OS group, the diameters at the transverse sinus (TS) origin were 5.8 ± 2.3 mm on the left side and 7.5 ± 2.2 mm on the right side. In the hyperplastic OS group, the diameters at the TS origin were 6.0 ± 2.1 mm on the left side and 7.0 ± 2.7 mm on the right side. Fenestration was observed in 33% of the torculars in the normal OS group and 6.7% of the torculars in the hyperplastic group. An unpaired t-test revealed a significant difference between bilateral TSs in the normal OS group (P < 0.05) but no difference in the hyperplastic OS group. The chi-square test revealed a significant difference in torcular Herophili fenestration between the normal and hyperplastic OS groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Hyperplastic OS makes bilateral TSs equal in diameter and weakens the predominance of the right TS. A hyperplastic OS reduces the occurrence of torcular Herophili fenestration.

Keywords

• Occipital sinus
• torcular Herophili
• Transverse sinus
• Fenestration