A morphometric survey of the parasellar region in more than 2700 skulls: emphasis on the middle clinoid process variants and implications in endoscopic and microsurgical approaches (original) (raw)

2017, Journal of neurosurgery

OBJECTIVE The middle clinoid process (MCP) is a bony projection that extends from the sphenoid bone near the lateral margin of the sella turcica. The varied prevalence and morphological features of the MCP in populations stratified by age, race, and sex are unknown; however, the knowledge of its anatomy and preoperative recognition on CT scans can aid greatly in complication avoidance and management. The aim of this study was to further illustrate the surgical anatomy of the parasellar region and to quantify the incidence of MCP and caroticoclinoid rings (CCRs) in dried preserved human anatomical specimens. METHODS The presence, dimensions, morphological classification (incomplete, contact, and CCR), and intracranial relations of the MCP were measured in 2726 dried skull specimens at the Hamann-Todd Osteological Collection at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Specific morphometric data points were recorded from each of these hemiskulls, and categorized based on age, sex, and ...