Topography of Sylvian Fissure and Central Sulcus as Neurosurgical Landmarks: an Anatomical Study Using Cadaveric Specimens in Iran

Abstract

Background and Aim: In the present study, the cerebral surface landmarks in human fresh autopsy specimens were investigated. Methods and Materials/Patients: Totally, 37 fresh adult autopsy human brain specimens from the Rasht Forensic Medicine Center were enrolled. Four specimens were excluded because of some traumatic injuries to cerebral cortex. Demographic information of all cases was obtained. Length of bilateral central sulcuses and posterior ramous of Sylvian fissures, thickness of superior, middle, and inferior gyri of temporal lobes, as well as the distance from frontal poles to midpoint of central sulcuses were measured and analyzed using SPSS software. Results: In total, 25 male (75.8%) and 8 female (24.2%) specimens were included. Mean (range) length of posterior ramus of right and left Sylvian fissure were 75.61 (50-95) and 74.55 (49-100) millimeter, respectively. Mean (range) length of right and left central sulcus were 94.85 (75-115) and 97.24 (65-125) millimeter, respectively. Mean (range) thickness of right and left superior temporal gyrus were 16.66 (5-20) and 15.33 (7-25) millimeter, respectively. Mean (range) thickness of right and left middle temporal gyrus were 16.63 (5-25) and 16.42 (8-25) millimeter, respectively. Mean (range) thickness of right and left inferior temporal gyrus were 10.30 (5-20) and 10.70 (5-22) millimeter, respectively. Mean (range) distance from right and left frontal pole to midpoint of right and left central sulcuse were 81.27 (55-105) and 82.63 (60-105) millimeter, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between two hemisphere measurements. Conclusion: It can be said that the two hemispheres are similar in cerebral surface landmarks.

Analysis of the Anatomical Variations in Sylvian Fissure Using MRI

“…Since Mashouf et al did not find any significant differences in the measured values of left and right brain hemisphere and concluded that the cerebral surface landmarks are similar on the left and right sides 7 ; therefore, we did not measure SF length in our study.…”

“…2 SF is the most recognizable part of the outer layer of the brain making it one of the main anatomical indices during neurosurgery. 7 The types of SF varied with patients age which might be due to difference in brain volume with respect to age. 6 According to the study conducted by Maslehaty et al, wide SF types 1 and 3 occur more frequently in patients older than 60 years.…”

“…2 SF is the most recognizable part of the outer layer of the brain making it one of the main anatomical indices during neurosurgery. 7 The types of SF varied with patients age which might be due to difference in brain volume with respect to age. 6…”