Purpose: The primary aim of our paper was to describe typical anatomical patterns of the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) and bridging veins (BV) using cerebral venous computed tomographic angiography (CTA) with a focus on the direction of the BV entering the SSS.
Methods: We retrospectively analyzed venous CTA of 30 patients to estimate the total number and direction of the BV entering the SSS. Maximum intensive projections were analyzed for length, diameter and cross-sectional area of the SSS.
Results: Thee hundred and fifty-four BV were assessed. The mean total length of the SSS was 25.6 ± 1.6 cm (mean ± 1 SD). The mean horizontal diameter at the level of the coronary suture was 6.7 ± 2.0 mm, and the mean vertical diameter at the coronary suture measured 5.3 ± 1.8 mm. Most BV emptied into the SSS, at the level of or distal to the coronary suture (74%). The BV draining into the SSS at the level of the coronary suture typically joined into a lacunar formation (43%). Veins draining into the sinus more than 3 cm distal from the coronary suture presented a predominantly retrograde inflow direction (77%).
Conclusions: Despite large variations in the location and course of BV, typical anatomical patterns were noted especially in relation to the direction of BV entering the SSS. The present anatomical analysis of the cerebral convexity veins by cerebral venous CTA provides an overview of the configuration of these veins which is useful information in neurosurgical preoperative planning.