Subarachnoid, subdural and interdural spaces at the clival region: an anatomical study.

AIM We aimed to show the significance of the anterior pontine membrane as a determining structure between the subdural and subarachnoid space in the clival region. MATERIAL AND METHODS Five adult cadaver heads and five cerebral hemispheres were used. The skull vault and hemipheres were removed by sectioning through the pontomesencephalic junction. Five other heads hemispheres were removed but the arachnoid membrane was protected and the cerebral side of the clival dura mater was dissected. In another specimen, the dural porus of the abducens nerve was sectioned for histological evaluation. Three cases of hematoma at the clivus were presented to support our findings. RESULTS The anterior pontine membrane is the arachnoid membrane forming the anterior wall of the prepontine cistern with its lateral extension at the skull base. This membrane forms the subdural and subarachnoid spaces by forming a barrier between the clival dura mater and neurovascular structures of the brainstem. There were rigid fibrous trabeculations between both cerebral and periosteal dural layers forming the basilar plexus as the interdural space in the clivus. CONCLUSION The anterior pontine membrane separates the subdural and subarachnoid spaces at the clival region. The hematomas of the clival region require to be evaluated with consideration given to the existance of the subdural space.