Superior Sagittal Sinus: A Review of the History, Surgical Considerations, and Pathology

A systematic PubMed and Google Scholar search for studies related to the anatomy, history, surgical approaches, complications, and diseases of the superior sagittal sinus was performed. The purpose of this review is to elucidate some of the more recent advances of our understanding of this structure. One of the earliest anatomical landmarks to be described, the superior sagittal sinus (SSS, sinus sagittalis superior (Latin); “sagittalis” Latin for ‘arrow’ and “sinus” Latin for ‘recess, bend, or bay’) has been defined and redefined by the likes of Vesalius and Cushing. A review of the various methods of approaching pathology of the SSS is discussed, as well as the historical discovery of these methods. Disease states that were emphasized include invasion of the SSS by meningioma, as well as thrombosis and vascular malformations.