Morphometric CT angiographic study of the SSS and its adjacent structures: A comparative analysis between elderly and nonelderly individuals of a Han Chinese population.

OBJECTIVE

The superior sagittal sinus (SSS) is an important structure, but few studies have analyzed it using computed tomography angiography (CTA).

METHODS

This study was performed to examine the angiographic anatomy of the SSS and its adjacent structures using CTA in Han Chinese participants. According to age, participants were divided into elderly and nonelderly groups. The parameters of the SSS and adjacent structures were measured, recorded and analyzed statistically.

RESULTS

A total of 500 Han Chinese participants were enrolled in this study, including 346 in the elderly group and 154 in the nonelderly group. In the elderly group, regarding inferior sagittal sinus (ISS) development, 187 ISSs were absent, 85 were visible, and 74 were clear. In the nonelderly group, 62 ISSs were absent, 54 were visible, and 38 were clear. In the elderly group, the Rolandic bridging vein diameter was 3.6 ± 0.8 mm; in the nonelderly group, the diameter was 3.9 ± 1.1 mm. The statistical results showed a difference in ISS development between the elderly and nonelderly groups (P < 0.05). The relationship of age with ISS development was assessed using linear regression analysis, and the results indicated that ISS became gradually occluded with age (P < 0.05). The statistical results also showed a difference in the Rolandic bridging vein diameter between the elderly and nonelderly groups (P < 0.05). The relationship of age with the Rolandic bridging vein diameter was assessed using linear regression analysis, and the results indicated that the Rolandic bridging vein tended to become thinner with age (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study found that more ISSs may become occluded and that the Rolandic bridging vein may become thinner with age. Other parameters of the SSS and its adjacent structures may not be affected by aging. In addition, our study also provided normal CTA parameters of the SSS and its adjacent structures in Han Chinese people.