Surgical Anatomy of the Posterior Part of the Foramen Magnum and the Posterior Paramedian Approaches

Author(s):  
Toshio Matsushima
Author(s):  
Carlos D. Pinheiro-Neto ◽  
Laura Salgado-Lopez ◽  
Luciano C.P.C. Leonel ◽  
Serdar O. Aydin ◽  
Maria Peris-Celda

Abstract Background Despite the use of vascularized intranasal flaps, endoscopic endonasal posterior fossa defects remain surgically challenging with high rates of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak. Objective The aim of the study is to describe a novel surgical technique that allows complete drilling of the clivus and exposure of the craniovertebral junction with preservation of the nasopharynx. Methods Two formalin-fixed latex-injected anatomical specimens were used to confirm feasibility of the technique. Two surgical approaches were used: sole endoscopic endonasal approach and transnasion approach. The sole endonasal approach was used in a patient with a petroclival meningioma. Results In both anatomical dissections, the inferior clivectomy with exposure of the foramen magnum was achieved with a sole endoscopic endonasal approach. The addition of the transnasion approach helped to complete drilling of the inferior border of the foramen magnum and exposure of the arch of C1. Conclusion This study shows the anatomical feasibility of total clivectomy and exposure of the craniovertebral junction with preservation of the nasopharynx. A more favorable anatomical posterior fossa defect for the reconstruction is achieved with this technique. Further clinical studies are needed to assess if this change would impact the postoperative CSF leak rate.


2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 193
Author(s):  
Bernard George ◽  

The vertebral artery (VA) is an important vessel supplying the hind brain; its surgical exposure and control is usually considered a great challenge. In fact, with good knowledge of surgical anatomy and proper surgical technique, the VA can be controlled and occasionally repaired with safety and reliability. VA exposure is useful in many instances and helps attain better results in the surgical treatment of many different pathologies at any level all along its course in the neck and the skull. These pathologies include intrinsic lesions (atherosclerosis, aneurysms, arteriovenous fistulas), intermittent compression by osteophytes or fibrous bands, and permanent compression mostly by different types of tumours. VA exposure also helps to achieve better treatment of spondylotic myelopathy (by oblique corpectomy) and of tumours at the craniocervical junction, foramen magnum and jugular foramen level. Based on the experience of more than 1,600 surgical approaches, VA surgery is associated with a very limited morbidity and mortality.


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. E81-E81
Author(s):  
Ken Matsushima ◽  
Michihiro Kohno ◽  
Hitoshi Izawa ◽  
Yujiro Tanaka

Abstract The anterior foramen magnum area, ventral to the brainstem is one of the most difficult regions to access surgically, and the extent of osseous drilling through the far-lateral or transcondylar approach should be planned in each case based on the tumor extension.1,2 This video, reproduced after informed consent of the patient, demonstrates a case of a ventral foramen magnum neurenteric cyst surgically treated using the partial transcondylar approach. A 27-yr-old woman presented with gait disturbance, oscillopsia, and transient arm numbness. Neuroimaging revealed a ventral foramen magnum cystic tumor involving the basilar and bilateral vertebral arteries. The tumor extended inferiorly from the middle clivus to the C1 level, and occupied the whole premedullary cistern compressing the bilateral lower cranial nerves. The left partial transcondylar approach was performed with drilling the condylar fossa, superior part of the occipital condyle, C1 posterior arch, and posterior part of the jugular process to achieve the sufficient surgical view from the inferolateral side. The drilling of the occipital condyle was minimized so that the articular facet of the occipital condyle was preserved. The tumor on the bilateral side was completely removed as enabled by the sufficient surgical field without new neurological deficits. Three-dimensional reconstructed images based on the postoperative computed tomography scans demonstrated the appropriate extent of the osseous drilling.


1999 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 329-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mustafa BOZBUGA ◽  
Adnan ^|^Ouml;ZT^|^Uuml;RK ◽  
B^|^uuml;lent BAYRAKTAR ◽  
Zafer ARI ◽  
Kayihan SAHINOGLU ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Guangfu Di ◽  
Wei Zhou ◽  
Xinyun Fang ◽  
Qiang Li ◽  
Lean Sun ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective This study was aimed to assess the potential of utilizing a transmastoid Trautman's triangle combined low retrosigmoid approach for ventral and ventrolateral foramen magnum meningiomas (FMMs) surgical treatment. Methods We simulated this transmastoid Trautman's triangle combined low retrosigmoid approach using five adult cadaveric heads to explore the associated anatomy in a step-by-step fashion, taking pictures of key positions as appropriate. We then employed this approach in a single overweight patient with a short neck who was suffering from large ventral FMMs and cerebellar tonsillar herniation. Results Through cadaver studies, we were able to confirm that this transmastoid Trautman's triangle combined with low retrosigmoid approach achieves satisfactory cranial nerve and vasculature visualization while also offering a wide view of the whole of the ventrolateral medulla oblongata. We, additionally, have successfully employed this approach to treat a single patient suffering from large ventral FMMs with cerebellar tonsillar herniation. Conclusion This transmastoid Trautman's triangle combined low retrosigmoid approach may represent a complement to treatment strategies for ventral and ventrolateral FMMs, particularly in patients with the potential for limited surgical positioning due to their being overweight, having a short neck and suffering from cerebellar tonsillar herniation.


2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei-Hsin Wang ◽  
Kumar Abhinav ◽  
Eric Wang ◽  
Carl Snyderman ◽  
Paul A Gardner ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND The endoscopic endonasal approach provides a direct route to ventral foramen magnum (FM) lesions like meningiomas, which are difficult to access. Endonasal access at the FM is limited laterally by the occipital condyles and inferiorly by the C1 anterior arch and the odontoid process, which may need partial resection. OBJECTIVE We investigated the surgical anatomy and technical nuances for endonasally increasing the surgical corridor at the FM region both laterally and inferiorly. Unique to our report, we quantified the amount of required medial condyle resection to obtain exposure of the lateral aspects of the FM. METHODS Five fresh human head silicone-injected specimens underwent endonasal inferior transclival, transcondylar approaches. The lateral limit of medial condyle resection was defined using a vertical line extending inferiorly from foramen lacerum and its intersection with the occipital condyle. The condylectomy was limited posteriorly by the cortical bone surrounding the hypoglossal canal. The volume of the resected condyle (cubic centimeters) for 10 sides was measured using the pre- and postdissection computed tomography-volumetric analysis. RESULTS The mean percentage condylar volume resected during a unilateral medial condylectomy was 18% (9.7%-28.3%). The surgical corridor was extended inferiorly in all specimens without violating the transverse ligament by drilling the superior aspects of C1 anterior arch and the exposed odontoid tip. These operative nuances were successfully applied in the operating room. CONCLUSION Anatomical landmarks can reliably guide an endonasal anteromedial condyle resection. Minimal condyle resection is required to widen lateral access at the FM, which minimizes the risk of craniocervical instability.


2012 ◽  
Vol 116 (4) ◽  
pp. 764-772 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean G. de Oliveira ◽  
Richard Gonzalo Párraga ◽  
Feres Chaddad-Neto ◽  
Guilherme Carvalhal Ribas ◽  
Evandro P. L. de Oliveira

Object The aim of this study was to describe the surgical anatomy of the mediobasal aspect of the temporal lobe and the supracerebellar transtentorial (SCTT) approach performed not with an opening, but with the resection of the tentorium, as an alternative route for the neurosurgical management of vascular and tumoral lesions arising from this region. Methods Cadaveric specimens were used to illustrate the surgical anatomy of the mediobasal region of the temporal lobe. Demographic aspects, characteristics of lesions, clinical presentation, surgical results, follow-up findings, and outcomes were retrospectively reviewed for patients referred to receive the SCTT approach with tentorial resection. Results Ten patients (83%) were female and 2 (17%) were male. Their ages ranged from 6 to 59 years (mean 34.5 ± 15.8 years). All lesions (3 posterior cerebral artery aneurysms, 3 arteriovenous malformations, 3 cavernous malformations, and 3 tumors) were completely excluded or resected. After a mean follow-up period of 143 months (range 10–240 months), the mean postoperative Glasgow Outcome Scale score was 4.9. Conclusions Knowledge of the surgical anatomy provides improvement for microsurgical approaches. The evolution from a small opening to a resection of the tentorium absolutely changed the exposure of the mediobasal aspect of the temporal lobe. The SCTT approach with tentorial resection is an excellent alternative route to the posterior part of mediobasal aspect of the temporal lobe, and it was enough to achieve the best neurosurgical management of tumoral and vascular lesions located in this area.


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