open access

Vol 82, No 3 (2023)
Review article
Submitted: 2022-08-03
Accepted: 2022-09-09
Published online: 2022-09-27
Get Citation

The petroclinoid ligament: a meta-analysis of its morphometry and prevalence of mineralization with a review of the literature

D. Plutecki1, P. Ostrowski2, M. Bonczar2, J. Iwanaga3, J. Walocha2, A. Pękala2, E. Szczepanek2, R. S. Tubbs3, M. Loukas4, G. Wysiadecki5, M. Koziej6
·
Pubmed: 36165899
·
Folia Morphol 2023;82(3):487-497.
Affiliations
  1. Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland
  2. Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
  3. Department of Neurosurgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
  4. Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University, Grenada, West Indies
  5. Department of Normal and Clinical Anatomy, Medical University of Lodz, Poland
  6. Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland

open access

Vol 82, No 3 (2023)
REVIEW ARTICLES
Submitted: 2022-08-03
Accepted: 2022-09-09
Published online: 2022-09-27

Abstract

Background: The petroclinoid ligament (PCL) is an important structure in the
petroclival region. The anatomy of the PCL and its relationship with the surrounding
structure is highly variable. The aim of this study was to estimate the
morphometry, prevalence of mineralization, and anatomy of the PCL. To achieve
this, the authors carried out a meta-analysis, including all studies that report
extractable data on the PCL.
Materials and methods: Major online medical databases such as PubMed, Scopus,
ScienceDirect, Web of Science, SciELO, BIOSIS, Current Content Connect, Korean
Journal Database, and Russian Citation Index were searched to gather all studies
regarding the anatomical characteristics, morphometry, and relationship with the
anatomical surroundings of the PCL.
Results: A total of 25 studies were included in this meta-analysis. Data were
gathered and analysed in eight categories: (1) mineralization of the PCL,
(2) relationship of the abducens nerve with the PCL, (3) relationship of the dorsal
meningeal artery with the PCL, (4) shape, number, and continuity of the PCL,
(5) PCL anterior attachment, (6) PCL anterior attachment point on bone, (7) PCL
posterior attachment point on bone, (8) morphometric features of the PCL.
Conclusions: In conclusion, the authors of the present study believe that this is
the most accurate and up-to-date meta-analysis regarding the morphology and
mineralization of the PCL. The data provided by the present study may be a useful
tool for surgeons performing neurosurgical procedures, such as endoscopic
transnasal surgeries. Detailed anatomical knowledge of the petroclival region can
surely prevent surgical complications when operating in this area.

Abstract

Background: The petroclinoid ligament (PCL) is an important structure in the
petroclival region. The anatomy of the PCL and its relationship with the surrounding
structure is highly variable. The aim of this study was to estimate the
morphometry, prevalence of mineralization, and anatomy of the PCL. To achieve
this, the authors carried out a meta-analysis, including all studies that report
extractable data on the PCL.
Materials and methods: Major online medical databases such as PubMed, Scopus,
ScienceDirect, Web of Science, SciELO, BIOSIS, Current Content Connect, Korean
Journal Database, and Russian Citation Index were searched to gather all studies
regarding the anatomical characteristics, morphometry, and relationship with the
anatomical surroundings of the PCL.
Results: A total of 25 studies were included in this meta-analysis. Data were
gathered and analysed in eight categories: (1) mineralization of the PCL,
(2) relationship of the abducens nerve with the PCL, (3) relationship of the dorsal
meningeal artery with the PCL, (4) shape, number, and continuity of the PCL,
(5) PCL anterior attachment, (6) PCL anterior attachment point on bone, (7) PCL
posterior attachment point on bone, (8) morphometric features of the PCL.
Conclusions: In conclusion, the authors of the present study believe that this is
the most accurate and up-to-date meta-analysis regarding the morphology and
mineralization of the PCL. The data provided by the present study may be a useful
tool for surgeons performing neurosurgical procedures, such as endoscopic
transnasal surgeries. Detailed anatomical knowledge of the petroclival region can
surely prevent surgical complications when operating in this area.

Get Citation

Keywords

petroclinoid ligament, Gruber ligament, petroclival region, mineralization, neurosurgery

About this article
Title

The petroclinoid ligament: a meta-analysis of its morphometry and prevalence of mineralization with a review of the literature

Journal

Folia Morphologica

Issue

Vol 82, No 3 (2023)

Article type

Review article

Pages

487-497

Published online

2022-09-27

Page views

1131

Article views/downloads

657

DOI

10.5603/FM.a2022.0082

Pubmed

36165899

Bibliographic record

Folia Morphol 2023;82(3):487-497.

Keywords

petroclinoid ligament
Gruber ligament
petroclival region
mineralization
neurosurgery

Authors

D. Plutecki
P. Ostrowski
M. Bonczar
J. Iwanaga
J. Walocha
A. Pękala
E. Szczepanek
R. S. Tubbs
M. Loukas
G. Wysiadecki
M. Koziej

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