The caverno-apical triangle: anatomic-pathological considerations and pictorial review.
BACKGROUND
The caverno-apical triangle (CAT) is defined from the components that define its contours: the cavernous sinus and the orbital apex. A wide range of pathologies arise from the space between the cavernous sinus and the orbital apex.


OBJECTIVE
To better define radiologically this critical anatomic landmark and establish an organized approach for image analysis to help generate focused differential diagnoses and accurately characterize lesions found on imaging.


CONCLUSIONS
We have identified common imaging characteristics of frequently encountered lesions and divided them into specific categories to facilitate creation of logical and focused differential diagnoses.
Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA. Electronic address: Jared.narvid@ucsf.edu.
Jared
J
Narvid
Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Jason F
JF
Talbott
Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Christine M
CM
Glastonbury
D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D002426:Cavernous Sinus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009915:Orbit / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Cavernous sinus; Orbital apex; Skull base; Superior orbital fissure