Radio-Morphometric Evaluation of the Parieto-Occipital and Calcarine Sulci: Implications for Neurosurgical Navigation

TL;DR

This study compares the shapes and sizes of two brain sulci to improve surgical navigation and imaging accuracy.

Contribution

The study provides a systematic morphometric comparison of the parieto-occipital and calcarine sulci using a large radiographic dataset.

Findings

The parieto-occipital and calcarine sulci show significant morphometric differences with large effect sizes.

A weak positive correlation exists between the sulci's measurements.

Sulcal length remains stable across age groups, indicating reliability as anatomical landmarks.

Abstract

Background: The parieto-occipital sulcus (POS) and calcarine sulcus (CS) are prominent landmarks on the medial surface of the cerebral hemisphere. Both structures serve as critical references in neurosurgical navigation and radiological interpretation. While their anatomical relevance is established, limited studies have systematically compared morphometric variations of these sulci in large radiographic datasets. Understanding their morphometric patterns is essential for improving surgical precision and refining neuroimaging protocols.

Methods: A total of 100 human cerebral hemispheres were analyzed radiographically. Measurements of the POS and CS were obtained on the medial surface, and statistical evaluation included descriptive statistics, paired-samples t-tests, Pearson correlation, and one-way ANOVA. Age and hemispheric differences were also assessed to determine potential demographic influences.

Results: Significant differences were observed between POS and CS morphometric values (p < 0.001), with large effect sizes indicating that the sulci are statistically and morphometrically distinct. A weak but statistically significant positive correlation was noted between POS and CS (r = 0.258). Sulcal length remained stable across age groups, indicating the reliability of these landmarks. The p-value confirms high statistical significance, supporting meaningful divergence between the two hemispheric measures of the same subject.

Conclusion: The findings confirm the morphometric independence and relative stability of the POS and CS, reinforcing their value as reliable anatomical guides in neurosurgical and radiological practice. Their consistent presence and resistance to age-related variation make them particularly suitable for surgical planning and orientation in clinical imaging. Future research should incorporate advanced modalities such as functional MRI and diffusion tensor imaging to investigate connectivity and validate these sulci as anchor points in surgical simulation and diagnostic frameworks.

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