Computed Tomography Angiography Study Of The Superior Sagittal Sinus In Elderly And Non-Elderly Individuals

Objective:By measuring the parameters related to the superior sagittal sinus in elderly and non-elderly individuals using head CTA,the differences in the superior sagittal sinus and its surrounding structures between the elderly and non-elderly are compared,and the structural characteristics of the superior sagittal sinus are summarized,providing guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases related to the superior sagittal sinus.Materials and Methods:This study included 500 healthy Han Chinese adults who underwent head CTA examination at the First Hospital of Jilin University from January 2019 to January 2023.They were divided into an elderly group(≥60 years old)and a non-elderly group(<60 years old)based on age.Using a GE workstation to post-process the original CTA image and measure parameters related to the superior sagittal sinus.The curve lengths were measured,including SSS,absent anterior SSS,SSS groove from crista galli to internal occipital protuberance,that from nose root to coronal suture,and that from lambdoid suture to external occipital protuberance.Bone thicknesses was measured,at coronal suture(CS),lambdoid suture(LS),and SSS termination.The width and height of the SSS were measured at CS,LS and SSS termination.The width and height of the SSS were measured at CS,LS and SSS termination.The distance of SSS deviation was recorded.The diameter of Rolandic vein were recorded.The developments of the SSS(integral/absent)and the inferior sagittal sinus(ISS)(absent/visible/clear)were recorded.The side(left,middle or right)of the SSS deviation into torcular herophili was recorded.The number of lateral bridging vein trunk into the SSS was recorded.Statistical assessments were performed using Graph Pad Prism(version 8.02)software(Graph Pad Software,Inc.)to find the difference between elderly and non-elderly groups.An unpaired t-test was used for the comparison of two continuous variables.The Fisher’s exact test or Chi-squared test were used to compare count data between two groups or among multiple groups.A P-value<0.05 was considered to indicate a statistically significant difference.Results:There were no statistically significant differences between the elderly and non-elderly in the length of the superior sagittal sinus,the length of the initial absence of the superior sagittal sinus,the length of the superior sagittal sinus sulcus,the length of the nasal root to the coronal suture,the length of the herringbone suture to the occipital tuberosity,bone thickness,the width of the superior sagittal sinus,and the height of the superior sagittal sinus(P>0.05).The probability of superior sagittal sinus deviation to the right is 70.2% in elderly and non-elderly individuals,and there is no statistical difference between the two groups(P>0.05).There is a difference in the proportion of types of inferior sagittal sinus between elderly people and non-elderly people(P<0.05),and the elderly group is more likely to have an absence of inferior sagittal sinus.The Roland vein diameter in the elderly group was thinner than that in the non-elderly group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:(1)There is no difference in the length,width,and height of the superior sagittal sinus between elderly and non-elderly individuals.The anatomical parameters of the superior sagittal sinus do not change with age.(2)The majority of the sagittal sinus in the elderly and non-elderly are inclined to the right.(3)Compared with non-elderly people,the proportion of types of inferior sagittal sinus deficiency increases in the elderly,which means that with age,the inferior sagittal sinus may become thinner or even missing.(4)Roland veins tend to become thinner with age.