The Infratemporal Retro-Eustachian Transposition of the Temporoparietal Fascial Flap for Clival Reconstruction After Endoscopic Endonasal Approach: An Anatomic Conceptual Technique

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulio Cecchini ◽  
Huy Q Truong ◽  
Francesco Di Biase ◽  
Antonio Musio ◽  
Juan C Fernandez Miranda

Abstract BACKGROUND Reconstruction after endoscopic endonasal approaches is a key element. Lower clivus reconstruction is difficult and most of the times a pedicled flap is not available. As the complexity and the dimensions of the exposure increase, a reliable reconstruction technique becomes more and more important. OBJECTIVE To describe the anatomic and technical nuances of the transposition of the temporoparietal fascial flap for lower clivus reconstruction. METHODS A specific temporoparietal fascial flap (TPFF) design and tunneling technique has been studied using 4 head specimens, microscopic and endoscopic surgical techniques, and neuronavigation. RESULTS The L-shaped flap offers several advantages. It can be tunneled directly toward the lower clivus passing through the infratemporal fossa. CONCLUSION The infratemporal retro-eustachian transposition of an L-shaped TPFF provides a vascularized tissue virtually without dimension limits. This is the only technique that allows the flap to be tunneled directly in the lower clivus with the most vascular portion being at the bottom of the defect. Clinical validation is still required since more issues may become relevant in a real-surgery setting. Though, due to its possible complications, this methodology needs further testing and should not be attempted in less experienced hands.

Skull Base ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 17 (S 2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee Zimmer ◽  
Aaron Brescia ◽  
Bharat Guthikonda ◽  
Jeffrey Keller ◽  
Philip Theodosopoulos

Neurosurgery ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 374-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra Alfieri ◽  
Hae-Dong Jho ◽  
Raffaele Schettino ◽  
Manfred Tschabitscher

Abstract OBJECTIVE The pterygopalatine fossa is a relatively small anatomic region. Because of its rich vasculonervous contents and its connections with several intracranial and extracranial compartments, it is of particular surgical interest. Because of its deep localization and despite its small size, however, it can require extensive anatomic approaches, especially for invasive cranial base lesions. We performed a cadaveric study through a minimally invasive endoscopic endonasal approach to the pterygopalatine fossa. METHODS We studied 16 pterygopalatine fossae in eight adult cadaveric heads in which the arteries and veins were injected with latex. For visualization, we used rod-lens endoscopes, 4 mm in diameter and 18 cm in length, with 0-, 30-, 45-, and 70-degree lenses. An endonasal middle meatal transpalatine approach, an endonasal middle meatal transantral approach, and an endonasal inferior turbinectomy transantral approach were used. RESULTS The middle meatal transpalatine approach allows for medial exposure of the pterygopalatine fossa contents, the middle meatal transantral approach allows a lateral view, and the inferior turbinectomy transantral approach allows the widest view and room for surgical maneuvering in the medial and lateral compartments of the pterygopalatine fossa and the infratemporal fossa. CONCLUSION Our anatomic study shows that this approach can be considered a valid minimally invasive option to approach pterygopalatine fossa lesions.


Author(s):  
Jianfeng Liu ◽  
Carlos D. Pinheiro-Neto ◽  
Dazhang Yang ◽  
Eric Wang ◽  
Paul A. Gardner ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective The jugular foramen is one of the most challenging surgical regions in skull base surgery. With the development of endoscopic techniques, the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) has been undertaken to treat some lesions in this area independently or combined with open approaches. The purpose of the current study is to describe the anatomical steps and landmarks for the EEA to the jugular foramen and to compare it with the degree of exposure obtained with the lateral infratemporal fossa approach. Materials and Methods A total of 15 osseous structures related to the jugular foramen were measured in 33 adult dry skulls. Three silicone-injected adult cadaveric heads (six sides) were dissected for EEA and three heads (six sides) were used for a lateral infratemporal fossa approach (Fisch type A). The jugular foramen was exposed, relevant landmarks were demonstrated, and the distances between relevant landmarks and the jugular foramen were obtained. High-quality pictures were obtained. Results The jugular foramen was accessed in all dissections by using either approach. Important anatomical landmarks for EEA include internal carotid artery (ICA), petroclival fissure, inferior petrosal sinus, jugular tubercle, and hypoglossal canal. The EEA exposed the anterior and medial parts of the jugular foramen, while the lateral infratemporal fossa approach (Fisch type A) exposed the lateral and posterior parts of the jugular foramen. With EEA, dissection and transposition of the facial nerve was avoided, but the upper parapharyngeal and paraclival ICA may need to be mobilized to adequately expose the jugular foramen. Conclusion The EEA to the jugular foramen is anatomically feasible but requires mobilization of the ICA to provide access to the anterior and medial aspects of the jugular foramen. The lateral infratemporal approach requires facial nerve transposition to provide access to the lateral and posterior parts of the jugular foramen. A deep understanding of the complex anatomy of this region is paramount for safe and effective surgery of the jugular foramen. Both techniques may be complementary considering the different regions of the jugular foramen accessed with each approach.


2019 ◽  
Vol 80 (S 04) ◽  
pp. S372-S374
Author(s):  
Eduard H. Voormolen ◽  
Pierre Olivier Champagne ◽  
Sebastien Froelich

Objective This study was aimed to achieve gross-total removal of a chordoma of the craniocervical junction via an endonasal approach (Fig. 1). Design The present study is a case report. Setting The study was conducted at neurosurgical clinic of university hospital. Participant A 40-year-old male, with normal neurologic exam and no prior medical history, presented with a 2-year history of cervicalgia. On preoperative imaging, a midline lesion, with image characteristics of chordoma, was seen in the lower clivus and odontoid. It had limited lateral extension. Main Outcome Measures This study measures postoperative neurological deficits and postoperative tumor volume on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results A binostril approach to the upper nasopharynx was performed using endoscope at 30- and 45-degree angles. Subsequently, a heart-shaped mucosal flap was made and the clivus was drilled to expose the lesion (Fig. 2). After initial debulking, the ring of C1 was slightly drilled to reach the tumor in and around the odontoid. Postoperative MRI showed that a gross-total resection was achieved. The patient had no neurologic deficits postoperatively. Pathologic examination revealed a chordoma of the classical type. Conclusion An endoscopic endonasal approach, utilizing the heart-shaped flap and angled endoscopes and instruments, can be considered for resection of select cases of craniocervical junction chordoma with limited lateral expansion.The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/rwVoZJRBIEo.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Changchen Hu ◽  
Liyuan Zhou ◽  
Hongming Ji ◽  
Gangli Zhang ◽  
Shengli Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The hypoglossal canal (HGC) is the most important structural landmark for the endoscopic endonasal approach to access the lower clivus (LC). We explored the feasibility of using the tough fibrous tissue covering the supracondylar groove (SCG) as a useful landmark to identify the location of the HGC. Methods: Four cadaveric specimens were dissected and analyzed. The craniovertebral junction (CVJ) region was accessed utilizing 4-mm endoscope with either 0° or 30° lenses. CVJ exposure and the surgical corridor areas were measured. The relationship between the tough fibrous tissue covering the SCG and the HGC was analyzed.Results: Tough fibrous connective tissue was tightly attached the SCG and ran superomedially to inferolaterally. The angle between the horizontal plane and the long axis of the SCG was 30°. Separating the tough tissue inferolaterally, we could locate the external orifice (EO) of the HGC to further accurately isolate the hypoglossal nerve. Conclusion: The tough fibrous connective tissue covered the SCG to the upper part of the HGC EO. The course of the tough fibrous connective tissue was superomedial to inferolateral. Using the tough fibrous connective tissue covering the SCG as a landmark, it was possible to accurately locate the HGC EO via the endoscopic endonasal approach to access the LC.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 77 (6) ◽  
pp. 888-897 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Kooshkabadi ◽  
Phillip A. Choi ◽  
Maria Koutourousiou ◽  
Carl H. Snyderman ◽  
Eric W. Wang ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: The endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) for craniocervical lesions involving the lower clivus and occipital condyles carries an unclear risk of atlanto-occipital (AO) instability requiring arthrodesis. OBJECTIVE: Elucidate risk factors for AO instability following EEA for clival lesions. METHODS: We reviewed patients with clival tumors who underwent EEA at our institution between 2002 and 2012. Resection of the lower clivus, foramen magnum, AO joint, and occipital condyles were evaluated on fine-cut postoperative computed tomography. RESULTS: Two hundred twelve patients (mean age 47.9 years, 57.1% male) underwent transclival EEA for lower clival lesions. In addition to the lower clivus, resection involved the condyle in 14.2% of patients, the foramen magnum in 16.5%, and the AO joint in 1.4%. Quantification of condyle resection revealed complete resection in 3 cases, 75% resection in 8 cases, 50% resection in 6 cases, and 25% resection in 13 cases. Seven of these patients had EEA combined with an open, far-lateral approach. In total, 7 patients required arthrodesis following EEA (3.3%), 4 of them after a combined approach. All patients who underwent arthrodesis had primary bone tumors such as chordoma, chondrosarcoma, or osteosarcoma (P = .022). Degree of condyle resection was a significant factor predisposing to occipitocervical instability (P = .001 and P < .001 for 75% and 100% condyle resection, respectively). Use of a combined approach was significantly associated with arthrodesis (P < .001). CONCLUSION: EEA resection of the occipital condyles that results in greater than 75% condyle resection or EEA in combination with an open approach significantly increases the risk of AO instability and likely necessitates AO fixation.


2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 312-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehdi Zeinalizadeh ◽  
Seyed Mousa Sadrehosseini ◽  
Zohreh Habibi ◽  
Farideh Nejat ◽  
Harley Brito da Silva ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE Congenital transsphenoidal encephaloceles are rare malformations, and their surgical treatment remains challenging. This paper reports 3 cases of transsphenoidal encephalocele in 8- to 24-month-old infants, who presented mainly with airway obstruction, respiratory distress, and failure to thrive. METHODS The authors discuss the surgical management of these lesions via a minimally invasive endoscopic endonasal approach, as compared with the traditional transcranial and transpalatal approaches. A unique endonasal management algorithm for these lesions is outlined. The lesions were repaired with no resection of the encephalocele sac, and the cranial base defects were reconstructed with titanium mesh plates and vascular nasoseptal flaps. RESULTS Reduction of the encephalocele and reconstruction of the skull base was successfully accomplished in all 3 cases, with favorable results. CONCLUSIONS The described endonasal management algorithm for congenital transsphenoidal encephaloceles is a safe, viable alternative to traditional transcranial and transpalatal approaches, and avoids much of the morbidity associated with these open techniques.


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