Gender-Related Differences of the Dimensions of the Transclival, Petrous Apex, and Translabyrinthine Corridors in Adults

The transclival, petrous apex, and translabyrinthine corridors are commonly used skull base approaches. We present the gender-related differences between the dimensions of these corridors in adults. Seventy-six computed tomography scans of the head were selected. Exclusion criteria included patients <18 years of age, radiographic evidence of trauma, neoplasm, infection, or previous surgery. The images were analyzed using OsiriX MD (Bernex, Switzerland). We measured the clival length and clival surface area, as well as the volume of the petrous apex and translabyrinthine corridors. The average age was 49 years with 44% females. For males, the mean clival surface area, PA, and TL volumes were 9.1 cm², 2.4, and 11 cm³ respectively. For females, the mean clival surface area, PA, and TL volumes were 6.9 cm², 1.9, and 9.1 cm³, respectively ([Fig. 1]). The difference between males and females was statistically significant only for the PA and TL volumes. The transclival, petrous apex, and translabyrinthine corridors are frequently used to address cranial base pathologies. Our analysis revealed significant gender-related differences in the dimensions of the petrous apex and translabyrinthine corridors in adults.

Fig. 1

Publication History

Article published online:
12 February 2021