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American Journal of Neuroradiology 27:7, January 2006
© 2006 American Society of Neuroradiology

LETTER

"Epidural" Vertebral Venous Plexus

Satoru Shimizu

Kitasato University School of Medicine
Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan

I read with interest the recent case report by Burtis et al regarding findings of MR imaging in craniospinal hypotension.1 The authors described an enlarged intrathecal spinal vein connecting with engorged "epidural" venous plexus through the intervertebral vein. In addition, the engorged venous system in the intraspinal extrathecal space, prominent in the ventral aspect, has been interpreted to be the "epidural" vein in the previous reports of this disease.2–4 The veins posterior to the theca, the posterior internal vertebral venous plexus, are exactly situated in the epidural space proper, though the veins anterior to the theca, the anterior internal vertebral venous plexus (AIVVP), are not in the space. The AIVVP consists of 2 longitudinal venous spaces between 2 thin layers of the posterior longitudinal ligament, the superficial (dorsal) and deep (ventral) layers5–7 (Fig 1). The walls of the AIVVP have all 3 layers of a vein: intima, media, and adventitia. Each AIVVP locates in the lateral part of the spinal canal symmetrically, and joins at the midline by retrocorporeal anastomoses. Although existing MR imaging cannot depict the layer relationships, anatomically correct expression of the venous system is desirable.

View larger version (104K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig 1. Anterocaudal view of a cadaver specimen after left vertebrectomy shows layer relationships between the AIVVP and surrounding structures. The AIVVP (1) is formed by 2 layers of the posterior longitudinal ligament, the superficial layer (2) just anterior to the dural theca, (3) and deep layer (4). The intervertebral vein (5) and vertebral vein (6) are also shown.

References

1. Burtis MT, Ulmer JL, Miller GA, et al. Intradural spinal vein enlargement in craniospinal hypotension. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol2005; 26 :34 –38[Abstract/Free Full Text]

2. Renowden SA, Gregory R, Hyman N, et al. Spontaneous intracranial hypotension. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry1995; 59 :511 –15[Abstract/Free Full Text]

3. Brightbill TC, Goodwin RS, Ford RG. Magnetic resonance imaging of intracranial hypotension syndrome with pathophysiological correlation. Headache2000; 40 :292 –99[Medline]

4. Clarot F, Callonnec F, Douvrin F, et al. Giant cervical epidural veins after lumbar puncture in a case of intracranial hypotension. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol2000; 21 :787 –89[Abstract/Free Full Text]

5. Hayashi K, Yabuki T, Kurokawa T, et al. The anterior and the posterior longitudinal ligaments of the lower cervical spine. J Anat1985; 124 :633 –36

6. Kubo Y, Waga S, Kojima T, et al. Microsurgical anatomy of the lower cervical spine and cord. Neurosurgery1994; 34 :895 –902[Medline]

7. Chaynes P, Verdie JC, Moscovici J, et al. Microsurgical anatomy of the internal vertebral venous plexues. Surg Radiol Anat1998; 20 :47 –51[Medline]

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Michael Todd Burtis, MD

Tripler Army Medical Center
Honolulu, Ha

Reply:

After thorough review of Dr. Shimizu’s image references and written response to our case report on intracranial hypotension, we are in complete concurrence with his assertion that the anterior internal vertebral venous plexus (AIVVP) is not situated within the epidural space proper. Rather, the AIVVP is within the layers of the posterior longitudinal ligament.

We are grateful for his comprehensive review of the pertinent anatomy in this case and for his letter regarding the error.

This Article Figures Only Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Shimizu, S. Articles by Burtis, M. T. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Shimizu, S. Articles by Burtis, M. T.