Imaging classification of jugular bulb variants on HRCT temporal bone and CT head and neck angiography: prospective study on standardized reporting using lateral skull base landmarks and correlation with condylar vein

Accurate imaging recognition of jugular bulb (JB) variants is essential for skull-base surgical planning and prevention of intraoperative vascular injury. This prospective study aimed to determine the prevalence and classification of JB variants using high-resolution CT (HRCT) temporal bone and CT head and neck angiography (CTA), evaluate the utility of standardized radiologic landmarks for consistent reporting and...

Audiologists have no direct practice change from this study; it is primarily relevant to neurotologists and skull-base surgeons planning procedures near the jugular bulb.

Standardized imaging classification of jugular bulb variants could reduce surgical complications at the lateral skull base, directly benefiting patients undergoing cochlear implantation or other temporal bone surgeries.

1. 01Proposes a standardized imaging classification system for jugular bulb anatomical variants on HRCT and CT angiography.
2. 02Uses lateral skull base landmarks to improve consistency of radiological reporting.
3. 03Correlates jugular bulb variants with the condylar vein to better characterize vascular anatomy.
4. 04Prospective study design strengthens the reliability of the proposed classification.
5. 05Directly relevant to surgical planning for cochlear implantation, BAHA, and other skull-base procedures.

PMID

42307701

DOI

10.1007/s10143-026-04372-0.

Journal

Neurosurgical Review

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

2b

Population

Patients undergoing HRCT temporal bone and CT head and neck angiography with jugular bulb variants

Intervention

Standardized imaging classification of jugular bulb variants using lateral skull base landmarks