Basal vein in the posterior incisural space: An anatomical comparison based on autopsy, digital subtraction angiography and computed tomographic venography.

BACKGROUND: During surgical procedures, the basal vein in the posterior incisural space is susceptible to obstruction. In such circumstances, venous infarction can occur along with venous damage. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to correlate the microanatomy of the basal vein in the posterior incisural space with the digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and computed tomographic venography (CTV). METHODS: Twenty cadavers and 42 patients were examined in this study. The head of each cadaver was injected with blue-colored gelatin via the internal jugular veins. Venograms for each patient were obtained from the venous phases of DSA or CTV. RESULTS: Compared to the cadavers, in the patients, DSA and CTV revealed 90% and 95% of the basal vein, respectively. According to difference of entrance, three types of basal veins were identified. No statistical difference of typing was found among the cadavers, DSA images and CTV images. On three sides of the cadavers and one side of the CTV images, the basal vein entered the straight sinus through the meningeal vein in the tentorium cerebelli. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative DSA and CTV are useful in the design of individualized surgical approaches and the preservation of the basal vein in the posterior incisural space.