Temporal Bone Landmarks of the Transverse-sigmoid Sinus Junction: An Anatomical Study in Dried Human Skulls

Objective: To investigate the accuracy in localization of the anterosuperior margin of TSSJ by using the intersection point between the squamosal and parietomastoid sutures (A point) and the intersection of the squamosal suture and supramastoid crest (B point) as bony landmarks. Materials and Methods: The A and B points were marked on the inner surface of a skull by using the transillumination technique. The anatomical relationship between the projected A point, B point, and groove of TSSJ was investigated in 60 dried Thai human skulls (120 sides). Results: Of the 120 sides, the projected A points were located exactly on the anterosuperior margin of the TSSJ in 38 (31.7%) instances and adjacent (above and below) the anterosuperior margin in 82 (68.3%) cases. Of the 118 sides with identifiable supramastoid crests, the projected B points were located precisely on the anterosuperior margin of TSSJ in 60 (50.8%) cases and above the anterosuperior margin of the TSSJ in 57 (48.3%) cases. Hence, the projected B point was a more reliable bony landmark for localizing the anterosuperior margin of the TSSJ when compared with the projected A point (p = 0.003, OR 2.2, and 95% CI =1.3-3.8). Conclusion: The B point is a more reliable temporal bone landmark for localization of the TSSJ than the A point. In temporal craniotomy, an initial burr hole at the B point is relatively safe and carries a very low risk of inadvertent venous sinus injury.