Satoshi Tsutsumi1, Hideo Ono2, Yukimasa Yasumoto3, Hisato Ishii3. 1. Department of Neurological Surgery, Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital, 2-1-1 Tomioka, 279-0021, Urayasu, Chiba, Japan. shotaro@juntendo-urayasu.jp. 2. Division of Radiological Technology, Medical Satellite Yaesu Clinic, Tokyo, Japan. 3. Department of Neurological Surgery, Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital, 2-1-1 Tomioka, 279-0021, Urayasu, Chiba, Japan.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Few studies have characterized the venous channels of the falx cerebri under physiological conditions. The present study aimed to explore the falx cerebri using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: A total of 91 patients (41 men and 50 women) with an intact falx cerebri and relevant dural sinuses underwent contrast MRI. RESULTS: In 15% of the participants, the falx cerebri contained venous channels with a patchy appearance. Seven of these channels were located in the anterior third of the falx, two were in the anterior two-thirds, and 5 were in the middle third. In 19 (21%) participants, the falcine sinus was unequivocally delineated. In 14 of them, connected the posterior third of the superior sagittal sinus and uppermost part of the straight sinus. These sinuses showed variable morphologies, presenting with linear, triangular, multi-channel, and branching appearances. The linear type was the most predominant and found in 50% of these cases. In contrast, in the remaining five participants, the falcine sinuses were coursing posteriorly, connecting the posterior third of the falx cerebri with the superior sagittal sinus. CONCLUSION: The falx cerebri may have a role as a pathway in the intracranial venous circulation. The falcine sinus has several variants with diverse morphologies.
PURPOSE: Few studies have characterized the venous channels of the falx cerebri under physiological conditions. The present study aimed to explore the falx cerebri using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: A total of 91 patients (41 men and 50 women) with an intact falx cerebri and relevant dural sinuses underwent contrast MRI. RESULTS: In 15% of the participants, the falx cerebri contained venous channels with a patchy appearance. Seven of these channels were located in the anterior third of the falx, two were in the anterior two-thirds, and 5 were in the middle third. In 19 (21%) participants, the falcine sinus was unequivocally delineated. In 14 of them, connected the posterior third of the superior sagittal sinus and uppermost part of the straight sinus. These sinuses showed variable morphologies, presenting with linear, triangular, multi-channel, and branching appearances. The linear type was the most predominant and found in 50% of these cases. In contrast, in the remaining five participants, the falcine sinuses were coursing posteriorly, connecting the posterior third of the falx cerebri with the superior sagittal sinus. CONCLUSION: The falx cerebri may have a role as a pathway in the intracranial venous circulation. The falcine sinus has several variants with diverse morphologies.
Entities:
Keywords:
Falcine sinus; Falx cerebri; MRI; Venous channels of the falx cerebri
Authors: R Shane Tubbs; Marios Loukas; Robert G Louis; Mohammadali M Shoja; Leslie Acakpo-Satchivi; Jeffrey P Blount; E George Salter; W Jerry Oakes; John C Wellons Journal: J Neurosurg Date: 2007-07 Impact factor: 5.115