Skull Anatomic Landmarks for Retrosigmoid Craniotomy in a Chinese Cohort: A 3D-Computed Tomography Study in Vivo

Abstract

AIM: This study was designed to determine the anatomic position of the asterion and the relationship between the asterion and the transverse sigmoid sinus junction (TSSJ) in a Chinese cohort. MATERIAL and METHODS: Venous computed tomography (CT) angiography was performed in 32 patients to simultaneously obtain 3D-CT volume rendering images of the cranial bone and the dural sinus. The relationship between the TSSJ and the asterion was analyzed. RESULTS: The distance from the asterion to root of zygoma (ROZ) was 54.6 ± 5.50 mm on the right side and 54.1 ± 5.42 mm on the left side. The asterion was 49.10 ± 3.56 mm above the tip of mastoid process (TOP) on the right side and 48.70 ± 2.23 mm on the left side. The asterion’s position was at the junction of the transverse-sigmoid sinus complex in 44 cases, below it in 19 cases, and above it in one case. CONCLUSION: 3D-CT volume rendering imaging is capable of accurately and simultaneously visualizing the bony landmark and the dural sinus structure outline in vivo, thus offering a new option for anatomic research and morphometric investigation. The accurate location of asterion can be found using the root of the zygoma and the tip of the mastoid process.