Surgical Classification of Variations in the Anatomy of the Sigmoid Sinus

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Analyze the variability of anatomic relations between the sigmoid sinus and other surgical landmarks within the mastoid cavity to establish a classification of sinus location to facilitate surgical planning.

STUDY DESIGN: A descriptive study of surgical landmarks using 96 temporal bones from the Temporal Bone Laboratory at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Valle University at Cali, Colombia.

METHODS: A dissection simulating a canal wall-up mastoidectomy extended to include exposure of the facial recess, epitympanum, and sigmoid sinus was performed on 96 adult disease-free temporal bones. Seven standard measurements were taken on each bone between the sigmoid sinus and other structures in the mastoid cavity. All data were analyzed using Epi-Info 2000.

RESULTS: This parametric study was consistent with three classes of anatomic variations in the location of the sigmoid sinus (type 1, type 2, and type 3) based on a Gaussian distribution of the seven variables.

CONCLUSIONS: Variability in the anatomic location of the sigmoid sinus in the mastoid cavity is common and has surgical relevance.

SIGNIFICANCE: This classification will help to rapidly identify the sigmoid sinus relationship within the mastoid cavity and to use the sigmoid sinus as a landmark during ear surgery in those cases in which traditional landmarks, such as the posterior auditory canal wall or the semicircular canals, are destroyed by a pathologic process.