An abrupt bleeding of the anteriorly- displaced sigmoid sinus: a rare complication of myringoplasty

摘要

BackgroundThe location of the sigmoid sinus within the mastoid cavity is quite variable. An anteriorly- displaced vertical segment of the sigmoid sinus constitutes an uncommon but dangerous anatomical variation that surgeons rarely encounter during surgery. In this variation, the sigmoid sinus lays underneath a very thin bony flap, which makes it easily damaged. Thus, an abrupt fatal bleeding might occur. Despite the many hypotheses about its origin (Chronic otitis media, hypopneumatization, etc.), the pathogenesis of this variation is still not completely understood.