Incidence Of Ossified Interclinoid Bars In Dry Human Skulls Of Gujarat State

Abstract

A group of intrinsic ligaments of the sphenoid bone which connect the anterior, middle & posterior clinoid processes occasionally get ossified and give rise to various types of ossified interclinoid bars. In present study the incidence of various types of ossified interclinoid bars were observed in 200 dry human skulls of unknown age & sex belonging to department of Anatomy of various Medical Colleges of Gujarat region. The interclinoid bars are classified on the basis of two classifications, proposed by Rani Archana et al and Keyers. Rani Archana et al, classified interclinoid bars into four types : Type I (caroticoclinoid foramen) bridge present between anterior and middle clinoid process, Type II bridge between anterior, middle and posterior clinoid process, Type III bridge between anterior and posterior clinoid process and Type IV bridge between the middle and posterior clinoid process. Each interclinoid bar was classified into contact, incomplete, complete types based on the classification of Keyers. In present study total incidence of interclinoid bars was 18%. Type I were present in 10.5%, out of which 8% were complete and 2.5% were incomplete. Types II in 3.5%, amongst them 2% were complete and 1.5% was mixed. Type III in 4%, out of which 2% were complete and 2% were incomplete. Total incidence of caroticoclinoid foramens was 14.5%, out of which 11.5% were complete and 3% were incomplete. Total incidence of sellar bridge was 7.5%, out of which 4.5% were complete and 3% were incomplete. Presence of osseous interclinoid bars may cause compression of surrounding structures like the cavernous sinus and its content, sphenoid sinus and pituitary gland. Therefore, detailed anatomical knowledge of various types of interclinoid bars can increase the success of diagnostic evaluation and surgical approaches to the region.

Sella turcica bridging and ossified carotico-clinoid ligament: Correlation with sex and age

“…15,17 Very little information is available concerning the origin and distribution of such variants in the general population; with regard to sella turcica bridging, a general prevalence ranging between 1.1% and 13.0% has been reported. [2][3][4] On the other hand, the ossified carotico-clinoid ligament is mainly described in case reports, 18 whereas a few systematic studies have taken dry skulls into consideration, 12,[19][20][21] and have yet to consider radiological scans. The literature suggests a general prevalence of this variant between 0.9% and 27%.…”

“…14 The concurrent description of sella turcica bridging and ossified carotico-clinoid process is very rare, with a general prevalence ranging between 0.8% and 3.5% in Indian populations. 12,[19][20][21] In addition, the same combination has been the topic of a few case reports. 22,23 The lack of epidemiological data concerning these variations is a severe deficiency in modern anatomy textbooks.…”

Bilateral Carotico-Clinoid Foramen

“…CCF is stratigically important due to its relations with the cavernous sinus and its contents and sphenoid sinus. [2] Sellar bridges can cause several endocrinological problems in embryonic life which may be attributed to their close approximation to hypothalamus and hypophysis cerebri. A CCF may confuse radiologists while doing carotid arteriograms and pneumatization or marrow density assessment of anterior clinoid process.…”

“…Similarly anterior and posterior or middle and posterior clinoid processes may also be connected by ligamentous bridges. [2] Ossification of the caroticoclinoid ligament between anterior and middle clinoid processes is termed as caroticoclinoid bridge and it leads to formation of caroticoclinoid foramen of Henle. Later transmits one of the segments of internal carotid artery.…”

Carotico-Clinoid Foramen and Associated Clinical Significance: Comprehensive Review

“…Freire et al studied 80 Brazillian dry skulls and detected this foramen in 6.25% of specimens [10]. Plenty of literature describes the occurrence of this foramen in the Indian population [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. The incidence of this foramen ranges from 6% to 37% in the Indian population.…”