Ossification of interclinoid ligament and its clinical significance

Abstract

The ossification of ligamentous structures in various part of the body may result in clinical problems. The osseous interclinoid ligament is an underestimated structure in the middle cranial fossa. Early studies on the interclinoid ligament has been conducted on either dry skull, fixed adult/fetus cadavers. The present study states data on fresh autopsy cases. The frequency of ossification of the interclinoid ligament were investigated on 50 autopsy cases bilaterally. Bilaterally complete ossification of interclinoid ligament was found in only three male autopsy cases (6%). The length of the interclinoid ligament was measured 8.95 mm ± 0.92 on the left side and 9.20 mm ± 0.87 on the right side. Statistical analysis showed no correlation between age, side and frequency of ossification of the interclinoid ligament. The ligamentous or bony interclinoid connections have important neuronal and vascular relations and are both clinically and surgically important. The knowledge of detailed anatomy of the interclinoid ligament can increase the success of diagnostic evaluation and surgical approaches to the region. © neuroanatomy.org.