Anat Cell Biol.  2021 Sep;54(3):395-398. 10.5115/acb.21.042.

Bilateral venous sinuses of Kelch

• Couldwell M
• Aysenne A
• Iwanaga J
• Dumont AS
• Tubbs RS

• KMID: 2521052
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.21.042

Abstract

Knowledge of the variant anatomy of the intradural venous sinuses is important to anatomists and clinicians alike. Herein, we report a cadaveric case of the rare venous sinus of Kelch, which some have believed is a remnant of the cranioorbital sinuses. To our knowledge, only one other cadaveric case has been reported in the extant medical literature. Clinically, knowledge of such a variant venous sinus can minimize misdiagnoses such as when anatomical variations are noted on imaging. Surgically, such an understanding can avoid intraoperative complications such as iatrogenic hemorrhage.

Keyword

Anatomical variation; Dural venous sinus; Venous sinus of Kelch; Cadaver; Anatomy

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Cadaveric dissection of a left-sided venous sinus of Kelch (arrows). Note the middle meningeal veins and artery (MM), superior petrosal sinus (SPS), draining vein (DV), optic nerve (CNII), and internal carotid artery (ICA) for reference.

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  Fig. 2 Schematic drawing of the bilateral venous sinuses of Kelch (asterisk) joining veins of the superior orbital fissure to the transverse sinus.

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  Fig. 3 Fetal development of the intracranial venous sinuses. In this schematic drawing, note that the superior ophthalmic vein are developing and are near the more posteriorly located transverse sinus. This position would be the most likely stage where communication (dotted line) could occur between these two systems e.g., the venous sinus of Kelch.

Reference

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