“Cavernous sinus syndrome” or “middle cranial fossa syndrome”: Considerations on terminology

2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Ricciardi
Keyword(s):  
Cavernous Sinus ◽  
Middle Cranial Fossa ◽  
Cavernous Sinus Syndrome ◽  
Cranial Fossa

The So-Called Cavernous Sinus: A Review of the Controversy and Its Implications for Neurosurgeons

Neurosurgery ◽  
1982 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 712-717 ◽  
Author(s):  
John N. Taptas
Keyword(s):  
Carotid Artery ◽  
Internal Carotid Artery ◽  
Cavernous Sinus ◽  
Internal Carotid ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Sella Turcica ◽  
Middle Cranial Fossa ◽  
Cranial Fossa ◽  
Base Of The Skull ◽  
Extradural Space

Abstract The so-called cavernous sinus is a venous pathway, an irregular network of veins that is part of the extradural venous network of the base of the skull, not a trabeculated venous channel. This venous pathway, the internal carotid artery, and the oculomotor cranial nerves cross the medial portion of the middle cranial fossa in an extradural space formed on each side of the sella turcica by the diverging aspects of a dural fold. In this space the venous pathway has only neighborhood relations with the internal carotid artery and the cranial nerves. The space itself must be distinguished from the vascular and nervous elements that it contains. The revision of the anatomy of this region has not only theoretical interest but also important clinical implications.

Endoscopic supraorbital extradural approach to the cavernous sinus: a cadaver study

2011 ◽  
Vol 114 (5) ◽  
pp. 1331-1337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fuminari Komatsu ◽  
Mika Komatsu ◽  
Tooru Inoue ◽  
Manfred Tschabitscher
Keyword(s):  
Cavernous Sinus ◽  
Complex Structure ◽  
Lateral Wall ◽  
Middle Cranial Fossa ◽  
Cadaver Study ◽  
Minimal Invasiveness ◽  
Small Complex ◽  
Transcranial Approach ◽  
Cranial Fossa ◽  
Extradural Approach

Object The cavernous sinus is a small complex structure located at the central base of the skull. Recent extensive use of endoscopy has provided less invasive approaches to the cavernous sinus via endonasal routes, although transcranial routes play an important role in the approach to the cavernous sinus. The aims of this study were to evaluate the feasibility of the purely endoscopic transcranial approach to the cavernous sinus through the supraorbital keyhole and to better understand the distorted anatomy of the cavernous sinus via endoscopy. Methods Eight fresh cadavers were studied using 4-mm 0° and 30° endoscopes to develop a surgical approach and to identify surgical landmarks. Results The endoscopic supraorbital extradural approach was divided into 4 stages: entry into the extradural anterior cranial fossa, exposure of the middle cranial fossa and the periorbita, exposure of the superior cavernous sinus, and exposure of the lateral cavernous sinus. This approach provided superb views of the cavernous sinus structures, especially through the clinoidal (Dolenc) triangle. The lateral wall of the cavernous sinus, including the infratrochlear (Parkinson) triangle and anteromedial (Mullan) triangle, was also clearly demonstrated. Conclusions An endoscopic supraorbital extradural approach offers excellent exposure of the superior and lateral walls of the cavernous sinus with minimal invasiveness via the transcranial route. This approach could be an alternative to the conventional transcranial approach.

scholarly journals Endoscopic Endonasal Approach to the Middle Cranial Fossa through the Cavernous Sinus Triangles: Anatomical Considerations

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (12) ◽  
pp. 1004-1008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fuminari KOMATSU ◽  
Shinri ODA ◽  
Masami SHIMODA ◽  
Masaaki IMAI ◽  
Hideaki SHIGEMATSU ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cavernous Sinus ◽  
Middle Cranial Fossa ◽  
Endoscopic Endonasal Approach ◽  
Endonasal Approach ◽  
Endoscopic Endonasal ◽  
Cranial Fossa

Transcortical Venous Approach for Direct Embolization of a Cavernous Sinus Dural Arteriovenous Fistula: Technical Case Report

2011 ◽  
Vol 70 (suppl_2) ◽  
pp. onsE343-onsE348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Navjot Chaudhary ◽  
Stephen P. Lownie ◽  
Miguel Bussière ◽  
David M. Pelz ◽  
David Nicolle
Keyword(s):  
Cavernous Sinus ◽  
Transarterial Embolization ◽  
Middle Cranial Fossa ◽  
External Carotid ◽  
Cerebral Vein ◽  
Arteriovenous Fistulas ◽  
Coil Occlusion ◽  
Superficial Middle Cerebral Vein ◽  
Cortical Venous Reflux ◽  
Cranial Fossa

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: Dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) represent 10% to 15% of all intracranial arteriovenous malformations. Most often, embolization is accomplished with transfemoral catheter techniques. We present a case in which embolization of a cavernous sinus dAVF was made possible through transcranial cannulation of a cortical draining vein. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: An 82-year-old woman presented with diplopia, left sixth cranial nerve palsy, intraocular hypertension, and bilateral chemosis. Angiography revealed a complex cavernous dAVF with cortical venous reflux, supplied by both external carotid arteries and the left meningohypophyseal trunk. Percutaneous transvenous access failed, and only partial occlusion was achieved by transarterial embolization. A frontotemporal craniotomy was performed to access the superficial middle cerebral vein in the left sylvian fissure. Under fluoroscopic guidance, a microcatheter was advanced through this vein to the floor of the middle cranial fossa and into the dAVF, permitting coil occlusion. CONCLUSION: This transcranial vein technique may be a useful adjunct in dAVF therapy when percutaneous transarterial or transvenous approaches fail or are not possible.

Endoscopic anterior transmaxillary “transalisphenoid” approach to Meckel’s cave and the middle cranial fossa: an anatomical study and clinical application

2018 ◽  
Vol 130 (1) ◽  
pp. 227-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huy Q. Truong ◽  
Xicai Sun ◽  
Emrah Celtikci ◽  
Hamid Borghei-Razavi ◽  
Eric W. Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Maxillary Sinus ◽  
Cavernous Sinus ◽  
Infratemporal Fossa ◽  
Middle Cranial Fossa ◽  
Anatomical Landmarks ◽  
Middle Fossa ◽  
Meckel’S Cave ◽  
Meckel's Cave ◽  
Cranial Fossa ◽  
Greater Wing

OBJECTIVEMultiple approaches have been designed to reach the medial middle fossa (for lesions in Meckel’s cave, in particular), but an anterior approach through the greater wing of the sphenoid (transalisphenoid) has not been explored. In this study, the authors sought to assess the feasibility of and define the anatomical landmarks for an endoscopic anterior transmaxillary transalisphenoid (EATT) approach to Meckel’s cave and the middle cranial fossa.METHODSEndoscopic dissection was performed on 5 cadaver heads injected intravascularly with colored silicone bilaterally to develop the approach and define surgical landmarks. The authors then used this approach in 2 patients with tumors that involved Meckel’s cave and provide their illustrative clinical case reports.RESULTSThe EATT approach is divided into the following 4 stages: 1) entry into the maxillary sinus, 2) exposure of the greater wing of the sphenoid, 3) exposure of the medial middle fossa, and 4) exposure of Meckel’s cave and lateral wall of the cavernous sinus. The approach provided excellent surgical access to the anterior and lateral portions of Meckel’s cave and offered the possibility of expanding into the infratemporal fossa and lateral middle fossa and, in combination with an endonasal transpterygoid approach, accessing the anteromedial aspect of Meckel’s cave.CONCLUSIONSThe EATT approach to Meckel’s cave and the middle cranial fossa is technically feasible and confers certain advantages in specific clinical situations. The approach might complement current surgical approaches for lesions of Meckel’s cave and could be ideal for lesions that are lateral to the trigeminal ganglion in Meckel’s cave or extend from the maxillary sinus, infratemporal fossa, or pterygopalatine fossa into the middle cranial fossa, Meckel’s cave, and cavernous sinus, such as schwannomas, meningiomas, and sinonasal tumors and perineural spread of cutaneous malignancy.

Lateral Orbitotomy Approach for Lesions Involving the Middle Fossa: A Retrospective Review of Thirteen Patients

Neurosurgery ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 309-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph D. Chabot ◽  
Paul A. Gardner ◽  
S. Tonya Stefko ◽  
Nathan T. Zwagerman ◽  
Juan Carlos Fernandez- Miranda
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Cavernous Sinus ◽  
Middle Cranial Fossa ◽  
Symptomatic Improvement ◽  
Middle Fossa ◽  
Total Resection ◽  
Patients Âgés ◽  
Lateral Orbitotomy ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Cranial Fossa

Abstract BACKGROUND: Classically used for treatment of orbital lesions, the lateral orbitotomy with cantholysis can be combined with a temporal craniectomy for lesions involving the middle cranial fossa. OBJECTIVE: To present a single-center experience with the lateral orbitotomy approach for lesions involving the middle fossa. METHODS: Twenty-five patients underwent lateral orbitotomies from April 2012 to July 2015. Excluding patients with solely intraorbital pathologies, 13 patients’ clinical and radiographic records were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Signs/symptoms in the 13 patients (ages 28-81) included proptosis (69%), decreased visual acuity (31%), diplopia (54%), and afferent pupillary defect (69%). Pathologies were meningioma (8), esthesioneuroblastoma, lymphoma, chordoma, Ewing's sarcoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Surgical goals were maximal safe resection in 8 patients, palliative debulking in 3 patients, and cavernous sinus biopsy in 2 patients. In 8 patients for whom maximal resection was the goal, 2 had gross total resection, while 6 had near-total resection. All patients (3) for whom palliation was the goal had symptomatic improvement. Both cavernous sinus biopsies obtained diagnostic tissue without complications. All patients with proptosis (n = 9) and diplopia (n = 7), and 2 of 4 patients with decreased visual acuity had improvement in their symptoms. No patient reported worsening of their symptoms. Mean follow-up was 12 mo (2-30 mo). Complications included oculorrhea (1), pseudomeningocele (2), transient ptosis (2), and forehead numbness (1). CONCLUSION: The lateral orbitotomy is a promising approach for carefully selected lesions with involvement of both the lateral orbit and middle cranial fossa. It provides minimally invasive access for biopsy, decompression, or resection.

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