The Anatomic Observation And Clinical Significance Of Petrosal Vein

ObjectiveThrough observation,measuring and study 20 cadaveric heads specimens of anatomy with microscope, to analyse the anatomic data about petrosal vein and surrounding structure. Discussing the meaning in the clinical surgery. Providing the anatomical basis and the reference about processing the regional related lesions and how to process petrosal vein.Methods1. Twenty formalin-fixed adult cadaveric heads specimens after perfusion of the arteries and veins with colored silicone, to dissect and observe the interrelation, distance and modality petrosal vein and trigeminal nerve, vestibulocochlear nerve, Meckel's capsule and so on.2. To simulate retrosigmoid approach and infratemporal approach scissor the tento-rium of cerebellum and explore the pons varolii cistern to dissect the specimens, to evaluate the meaning of the petrosal vein at different position in the pathological changes of erebellopontine angle and petroclival region.3. Combining the clinical operation and evaluating some result of dissection.4. Measured data were statistically processed and presented in the mean (range and measured value) style and were selectived correlation numerus process t test.Results1. Petrosal vein is variation in the individual, the measurement of length is 11.16±4.55mm, and the outer diameter is3.91±0.97mm.2. The width of root of trigeminal nerve is5.23±0.64mm. The distance between the branches joint of petrosal vein and the root of trigeminal nerve is3.48±1.87 mm. The where entrance sinuses is 16.33±2.85 mm. The branches joint of petrosal vein may be situated on the root of trigeminal nerve interior above,above,below or outside above.3. The most length of the Meckel's capsule mouth is8.89±1.27mm and the most width is 4.04±0.95mm.4. Petrosal vein may be situated on facial, vestibulocochlear nerve interior above, above or outside above, the distance between petrosal vein where entrance sinuses and vestibulocochlear nerve is7.66±1.47mm, the distance between the junction of petrosal vein and vestibulocochlear nerve is 13.81±4.50 mm.5. The distance between petrosal vein where entrance sinuses and abducent nerve is 21.22±2.86mm, the distance between the junction of petrosal vein and abducent nerve is 21.11±3.08 mm.6. Except 7 sides have 2 branches and 1 side have 3 branches of petrosal vein trunk, the others all have lbranche of petrosal vein trunk empty into superior petrosal sinus.Among the total 4 trunk have 1branch,13 trunk have 2 branches,1 Otrunk have 3 branches.17 trunk have 4 branches.4branches (9.1%) are situated on the above inside of root of trigeminal nerve,6 branches (13.7%) are situated on the above or below of root of trigeminal nerve,34branches (77.3%) are situated on the above outside of root of trigeminal nerve.7. The petrosal vein may congenital absence in some specimens, there is 1 specimen 3 sides congenital absence in the 20 specimens, the rate is7.5%.Conclusions1. The petrosal vein have close relation with trigeminal nerve,vestibulocochlear nerve,Meckel's capsule.2. The branches,width and length and position is variation, different individual must have different treatment.3. According to the relation of the junction of petrosal vein and the root of trigeminal nerve can have three kinds. The first kind is the junction is inside to the root of trigeminal nerve which most easily be injuryed in the transtentorial approach. The second kind is the junction on the above or below of root of trigeminal nerve; The second kind is the junction on the outside of root of trigeminal nerve which most easily be injuryed in the retrosigmoid approach..4. Petrosal vein can congenital absence.