Drainage of the basal vein of Rosenthal into the confluence of sinuses

Stephen Bordes,Skyler Jenkins,Marios Loukas,Joe Iwanaga,Joel Curé,R. Shane Tubbs 대한해부학회 2019 Anatomy & Cell Biology Vol.52 No.2

An adult female was found to have a variation of the left basal vein of Rosenthal after presenting with complaints of headache. The vein, in this case, drained directly into the confluence of sinuses instead of the great vein of Galen. Variation of the basal vein is likely due to the embryonic development of the deep cerebral venous system as primitive structures either differentiate further or regress with age. Such changes may result in the uncommon presentation seen in this case. To our knowledge, this is the first case reported of the basal vein draining into the confluence of sinuses.

Anatomy and variations of digastric muscle

Sung Deuk Kim,Marios Loukas 대한해부학회 2019 Anatomy & Cell Biology Vol.52 No.1

The digastric muscle consists of the anterior belly and the posterior belly connecting the mandible, hyoid bone and temporal bone. Its unique morphology, structure and variations have drawn genuine interests in this muscle from anatomists, scientists and physicians for a long time, and the variations of the digastric muscle have been documented since the 18th century. As the usage of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the neck has become ever increasing, recognizing the variations of the digastric muscle can be a great value since it helps physicians to make better treatment plans and avoid unnecessary invasive procedures in the neck. Although the variations of the digastric muscle do not necessarily cause clinical symptoms, they still have important clinical applications. This article discusses the anatomy, embryology, descriptions of the morphological variations and clinical significance of the digastric muscle.

Rare anastomosis between the ascending pharyngeal and vertebral arteries via the hypoglossal canal: A cadaveric case report

Stephen J. Bordes,Sina Zarrintan,Joe Iwanaga,Marios Loukas,Aaron S. Dumont,R. Shane Tubbs 대한해부학회 2021 Anatomy & Cell Biology Vol.54 No.3

We present a rare case of external carotid artery-vertebral artery anastomosis via the ascending pharyngeal artery, diagnosed upon cadaveric dissection. The ascending pharyngeal artery gave rise to a branch to the hypoglossal canal, which is a variation of a true persistent fetal hypoglossal artery. Knowledge of persistent carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomoses is important as these fetal vessels can contribute significantly to the posterior cerebral circulation. Only 10 cases of external carotid artery-vertebrobasilar artery anastomoses have been reported to our knowledge, and our case presents the first cadaveric dissection of this rare variation.

Ansa cervicalis: a comprehensive review of its anatomy, variations, pathology, and surgical applications

Shogo Kikuta,Skyler Jenkins,Jingo Kusukawa,Joe Iwanaga,Marios Loukas,R. Shane Tubbs 대한해부학회 2019 Anatomy & Cell Biology Vol.52 No.3

The ansa cervicalis is a neural loop in the neck formed by connecting the superior root from the cervical spinal nerves (C1–2) and the inferior root descending from C2–C3. It has various anatomical variations and can be an important acknowledgment in specific operations of the neck region. This is a review the anatomy, variations, pathology and clinical applications of the ansa cervicalis.

A comprehensive review of the sinuvertebral nerve with clinical applications

Brian Shayota,T,L,Wong,Donald Fru,Glen David,Joe Iwanaga,Marios Loukas,R,Shane Tubbs 대한해부학회 2019 Anatomy & Cell Biology Vol.52 No.2

The anatomy and clinical significance of the sinuvertebral nerve is a topic of considerable interest among anatomists and clinicians, particularly its role in discogenic pain. It has required decades of research to appreciate its role, but not until recently could these studies be compiled to establish a more complete description of its clinical significance. The sinuvertebral nerve is a recurrent nerve that originates from the ventral ramus, re-entering the spinal canal via the intervertebral foramina to innervate multiple meningeal and non-meningeal structures. Its complex anatomy and relationship to discogenic pain have warranted great interest among clinical anatomists owing to its sympathetic contribution to the lumbar spine. Knowledge of the nerve has been used to design a variety of diagnostic and treatment procedures for chronic discogenic pain. This paper reviews the anatomy and clinical aspects of the sinuvertebral nerve.

Ectopic sympathetic ganglia cells of the ventral root of the spinal cord: an anatomical study

Chrissie Massrey,Marwah M. Abdulkader,Eyas Hattab,Joe Iwanaga,Marios Loukas,R. Shane Tubbs 대한해부학회 2020 Anatomy & Cell Biology Vol.53 No.1

The sympathetic trunk ganglia contain the cell bodies of neurons. However, some patients who undergo sympathectomy can develop compensatory hyperhidrosis. To evaluate for ectopic pathways, the present anatomical study was performed. Ten adult cadavers underwent dissection of the spinal canal and removal of randomly selected ventral roots, which were submitted for histological analysis. Random ventral root samples were taken from cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral regions in each specimen. Each histological section was then analyzed and the presence or absence of sympathetic cells documented for level and position within the ventral root. Of all samples, a sympathetic nerve cell was found in 80% of ventral roots. At least one sympathetic cell was found in these 80%. Most sympathetic cells were found in the proximal one-third of the ventral root. Such cells were found at all spinal levels and no specific level within a vertebral region was found to house a greater concentration of these cells. No statistical significance was found when comparing sides or sex. Our study confirmed that sympathetic cells exist in the majority of human ventral roots. Such data might better explain various clinical presentations and postoperative complications/findings.

Morphology of the groove of the inferior petrosal sinus: application to better understanding variations and surgery of the skull base

Uduak-Obong I. Ekanem,Łukasz Olewnik,Andrea Porzionato,Veronica Macchi,Joe Iwanaga,Marios Loukas,Aaron S. Dumont,Raffaele De Caro,R. Shane Tubbs 대한해부학회 2022 Anatomy & Cell Biology Vol.55 No.2

Although adequate venous drainage from the cranium is imperative for maintaining normal intracranial pressure, the bony anatomy surrounding the inferior petrosal sinus and the potential for a compressive canal or tunnel has, to our knowledge, not been previously investigated. One hundred adult human skulls (200 sides) were observed and documented for the presence or absence of an inferior petrosal groove or canal. Measurements were made and a classification developed to help better understand their anatomy and discuss it in future reports. We identified an inferior petrosal sinus groove (IPSG) in the majority of specimens. The IPSG began anteriorly where the apex of the petrous part of the temporal bone articulated with the sphenoid part of the clivus, traveled posteriorly, in a slight medial to lateral course, primarily just medial to the petro-occipital fissure, and ended at the anteromedial aspect of the jugular foramen. When the IPSGs were grouped into five types. In type I specimens, no IPSG was identified (10.0%), in type II specimens, a partial IPSG was identified (6.5%), in type III specimens, a complete IPSG (80.0%) was identified, in type IV specimens, a partial IPS tunnel was identified (2.5%), and in type V specimens, a complete tunnel (1.0%) was identified. An improved knowledge of the bony pathways that the intracranial dural venous sinuses take as they exit the cranium is clinically useful. Radiological interpretation of such bony landmarks might improve patient diagnoses and surgically, such anatomy could decrease patient morbidity during approaches to the posterior cranial fossa.

Choroidal fissure and choroidal fissure cysts: a comprehensive review

Juan J,Altafulla,Seungmo Suh,Stephen Bordes,Joshua Prickett,Joe Iwanaga,Marios Loukas,Aaron S,Dumont,R,Shane Tubbs 대한해부학회 2020 Anatomy & Cell Biology Vol.53 No.2

In this paper, the authors discuss the embryology and anatomy of the choroidal fissure, as well as the pathophysiology and treatment of cerebrospinal fluid cysts of this structure. Understanding its anatomical relations to nearby structures plays an essential role during brain surgeries. With the advancement and availability of imaging techniques, lesions of the choroidal fissure are often found incidentally. Patients are usually asymptomatic or exhibit symptoms that do not correlate with anatomical location or do not require surgical treatment. The choroidal fissure is a key landmark used during brain surgery. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of it and nearby anatomical structures is essential. Choroidal fissure cysts can be found incidentally, and well-known key features will allow one to differentiate them from other lesions. Surgical treatment should be reserved for symptomatic patients while asymptomatic patients should be monitored.