The Ophthalmopetrosal Sinus of Hyrtl: The Evidence of A Rare Variant

Abstract

Hyrtl [Wien Med Wochenschr. 1862;19:291-292] reported firstly the ophtalmopetrosal sinus (OPS) running from the superior orbital fissure and emptying either in the transverse sinus, or in its junction with the superior petrosal sinus. Since then, this anatomic variant was mostly referred and poorly studied. Neither Hyrtl, nor other authors brought any evidence of such OPS. It is hereby reported and proofed such an OPT which was found at dissection. It drained ophthalmic veins and coursed posteriorly, first on the greater wing (alar segment), then on the temporal bone (temporal segment, on the petrosquamous fissure), emptying in the transverse sinus. A lateral type of the superior petrosal sinus connected the OPS and the transverse sinus. The OPS courses on the middle fossa floor, lateral to the Meckel's cavum, foramen ovale, foramen spinosum, and fallopian hiatus. It is a rare thus unexpected finding during specific approaches of the middle fossa floor.