article · International Journal of Anatomy and Research
This study investigated morphological and drainage variations of the cavernous sinus tributaries using computed tomography scans from one hundred South African individuals across Black, Indian, and White population groups. Researchers classified the anatomical pathways of the superior and inferior ophthalmic veins, the sphenoparietal sinus, and the superficial middle cerebral vein according to age, sex, population group, and laterality. For the superior ophthalmic vein, Type S was the most common morphology among Indian and White participants and among females. The inferior ophthalmic vein presented Type A most frequently across all parameters, with a significant sex-related variation observed on the right side. The sphenoparietal sinus and superficial middle cerebral vein predominantly exhibited Type A and Type C patterns, respectively. Because the superior ophthalmic vein presented fewer variations, it may serve as an effective route for transvenous embolisation, supported by pre-procedural diagnostic imaging.
Conditions involving the cavernous sinus can be life-threatening and require precise endovascular intervention. Understanding the natural anatomical diversity of cranial veins within specific populations helps interventional radiologists and surgeons choose safer access pathways during procedures such as transvenous embolisation, ultimately reducing procedural complications and improving patient outcomes during delicate cranial treatments.
This applied anatomical research provides diagnostic reference data directly relevant to neurointerventional radiologists and endovascular surgeons planning transvenous embolisation. While the findings represent early clinical observational data rather than a commercial product, they can inform surgical protocols, procedural planning software, or specialised training programmes for neurovascular interventions across demographically diverse patient populations.
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Background: The cavernous sinus (CS), being the site of thrombosis, predisposes most patients to life-threatening diseases of the cavernous sinus and cerebral venous system. The procedure to treat these life-threatening diseases requires a good anatomical knowledge of CS tributaries owing to their variations in morphological and drainage patterns. Materials and methods: One hundred CT images of males and females were used (≥13 years). In this study, the sample drawn from the Black South African population was compared to the sample drawn from the Indian and White SA population groups. The full length of each vein - the superior and inferior ophthalmic veins (SOV and IOV), the sphenoparietal sinus (SPS), and the superficial middle cerebral vein (SMCV), were observed and classified into various types according to their drainage into the cavernous sinus. These types were compared to factors such as population, age, sex and laterality. Results: Three morphological variations were observed for the SOV, Type S was the most prevalent in the Indian/White sample group on both sides, and more common in females. For the IOV, Type A was the most prevalent in all parameters studied. Regarding the SPS, Type A was the most prevalent, followed by Type B, and Type C was the lowest recorded. For the SMCV, Type C was the most prevalent, followed by Types A and B, with less frequencies recorded for Type D. A statistically significant association for the drainage pattern of the IOV was found on the right side for sex (p = 0.03) only. Conclusion: The SOV showed less variations and may be an ideal vein to be used for transvenous embolisation. The use of CT images to study the pattern and variations of these veins is highly recommended before transvenous embolisation. Keywords: Superior orbital vein, inferior orbital vein, sphenoparietal sinus, superficial middle cerebral vein, transvenous embolization.
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DOI: 10.16965/ijar.2026.132
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