Microsurgical Anatomy of Intracranial Venous System

Yim, Man Bin

Abstract

OBJECTS: Although plenty of articles about microsurgical anatomy of the cerebral arteries exist in literatures, there is a few articles which studied the microsurgical anatomy of the cerebral venous system. To get the more accurate knowledge about microsurgical anatomy of the cerebral venous system related to the commonly used surgical approach route for cerebovascular lesions, this study is performed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The author reviewed several articles which described about the anatomy of cerebral venous system, and selected some articles which studied the microsurgical anatomy of cerebral veins related to the area of the surgical approach routes for cerebrovascular lesions. General venous anatomy of lateral surface of cerebral hemisphere and the venous system related to the surgical approach route are described.
RESULTS
The superficial cortical veins of lateral surface of cerebral hemisphere are divided into an ascending group, which drain into superior sagittal sinus, and a descending group, which drain into superficial sylvian veins or transverse sinus. Three anastomotic veins, such as the vein of Labbe, Trolard and the superficial sylvian veins, connect between superior sagittal sinus, veins along the sylvian fissure and transverse sinus. The anatomical knowledge of the sylvian and frontal basal veins, venous sinus around the superior sagittal sinus and medial frontal veins, and temporal basal veins are required in pterional, interhemispheric, and subtemporal approach respectively.
CONCLUSION
The author concludes that the advancement of anatomical knowledge about cerebral venous system will contribute the improvement of outcome of surgically treated patients with cerebrovascular disease.