scholarly journals The medial wall of the cavernous sinus. Part 1: Surgical anatomy, ligaments, and surgical technique for its mobilization and/or resection

2019 ◽  
Vol 131 (1) ◽  
pp. 122-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huy Q. Truong ◽  
Stefan Lieber ◽  
Edinson Najera ◽  
Joao T. Alves-Belo ◽  
Paul A. Gardner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cavernous Sinus ◽  
Single Layer ◽  
Lateral Wall ◽  
Anterior Wall ◽  
Surgical Anatomy ◽  
Medial Wall ◽  
Vertical Segment ◽  
Anterior Clinoid Process ◽  
Endoscopic Endonasal

OBJECTIVEThe medial wall of the cavernous sinus (CS) is often invaded by pituitary adenomas. Surgical mobilization and/or removal of the medial wall remains a challenge.METHODSEndoscopic endonasal dissection was performed in 20 human cadaver heads. The configuration of the medial wall, its relationship to the internal carotid artery (ICA), and the ligamentous connections in between them were investigated in 40 CSs.RESULTSThe medial wall of the CS was confirmed to be an intact single layer of dura that is distinct from the capsule of the pituitary gland and the periosteal layer that forms the anterior wall of the CS. In 32.5% of hemispheres, the medial wall was indented by and/or well adhered to the cavernous ICA. The authors identified multiple ligamentous fibers that anchored the medial wall to other walls of the CS and/or to specific ICA segments. These parasellar ligaments were classified into 4 groups: 1) caroticoclinoid ligament, spanning from the medial wall and the middle clinoid toward the clinoid ICA segment and anterior clinoid process; 2) superior parasellar ligament, connecting the medial wall to the horizontal cavernous ICA and/or lateral wall of the CS; 3) inferior parasellar ligament, bridging the medial wall to the anterior wall of the CS or anterior surface of the short vertical segment of the cavernous ICA; and 4) posterior parasellar ligament, which anchors the medial wall to the short vertical segment of the cavernous ICA and/or the posterior carotid sulcus. The caroticoclinoid ligament and inferior parasellar ligament were present in most CSs (97.7% and 95%, respectively), while the superior and posterior parasellar ligaments were identified in approximately half of the CSs (57.5% and 45%, respectively). The caroticoclinoid ligament was the strongest and largest ligament, and it was typically assembled as a group of ligaments with a fan-like arrangement. The inferior parasellar ligament was the first to be encountered after opening the anterior wall of the CS during an interdural transcavernous approach.CONCLUSIONSThe authors introduce a classification of the parasellar ligaments and their role in anchoring the medial wall of the CS. These ligaments should be identified and transected to safely mobilize the medial wall away from the cavernous ICA during a transcavernous approach and for safe and complete resection of adenomas that selectively invade the medial wall.

The Medial Wall of the Cavernous Sinus: Microsurgical Anatomy

Neurosurgery ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 179-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Yasuda ◽  
Alvaro Campero ◽  
Carolina Martins ◽  
Albert L. Rhoton ◽  
Guilherme C. Ribas
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Gland ◽  
Cavernous Sinus ◽  
Thin Sheet ◽  
Single Layer ◽  
Lateral Wall ◽  
The Body ◽  
Medial Wall ◽  
Microsurgical Anatomy ◽  
Pituitary Fossa ◽  
Adjacent Structures

Abstract OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to clarify the boundaries, relationships, and components of the medial wall of the cavernous sinus (CS). METHODS: Forty CSs, examined under ×3 to ×40 magnification, were dissected from lateral to medial in a stepwise fashion to expose the medial wall. Four CSs were dissected starting from the midline to lateral. RESULTS: The medial wall of the CS has two parts: sellar and sphenoidal. The sellar part is a thin sheet that separates the pituitary fossa from the venous spaces in the CS. This part, although thin, provided a barrier without perforations or defects in all cadaveric specimens studied. The sphenoidal part is formed by the dura lining the carotid sulcus on the body of the sphenoid bone. In all of the cadaveric specimens, the medial wall seemed to be formed by a single layer of dura that could not be separated easily into two layers as could the lateral wall. The intracavernous carotid was determined to be in direct contact with the pituitary gland, being separated from it by only the thin sellar part of the medial wall in 52.5% of cases. In 39 of 40 CSs, the venous plexus and spaces in the CS extended into the narrow space between the intracavernous carotid and the dura lining the carotid sulcus, which forms the sphenoidal part of the medial wall. The lateral surface of the pituitary gland was divided axially into superior, middle and inferior thirds. The intracavernous carotid coursed lateral to some part of all the superior, middle, and inferior thirds in 27.5% of the CSs, along the inferior and middle thirds in 32.5%, along only the inferior third in 35%, and below the level of the gland and sellar floor in 5%. In 18 of the 40 CSs, the pituitary gland displaced the sellar part of the medial wall laterally and rested against the intracavernous carotid, and in 6 there was a tongue-like lateral protrusion of the gland that extended around a portion of the wall of the intracavernous carotid. No defects were observed in the sellar part of the medial wall, even in the presence of these protrusions. CONCLUSION: The CS has an identifiable medial wall that separates the CS from the sella and capsule of the pituitary gland. The medial wall has two segments, sellar and sphenoidal, and is formed by just one layer of dura that cannot be separated into two layers as can the lateral wall of the CS. In this study, the relationships between the medial wall and adjacent structures demonstrated a marked variability.

scholarly journals Endoscopic endonasal transcavernous approach for invasive corticotroph pituitary adenoma

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. V2
Author(s):  
Ming-Ying Lan ◽  
Wei-Hsin Wang
Keyword(s):  
Cavernous Sinus ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Tumor Resection ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Surgical Anatomy ◽  
Total Resection ◽  
Endoscopic Endonasal ◽  
Cavernous Sinus Invasion ◽  
The Right

This is a 37-year-old woman who presented with weight gain, a moon-shaped face, and muscle weakness for 4 months. Cushing’s disease was confirmed after a series of diagnostic tests. MRI demonstrated a pituitary macroadenoma with right cavernous sinus invasion and encasement of the right ICA. An endoscopic endonasal approach was performed, and gross-total resection could be achieved without injury of the cranial nerves. The Cushing’s syndrome improved gradually after the surgery. Histopathology revealed a corticotroph adenoma. In this surgical video, we demonstrate the strategies of tumor resection according to a surgical anatomy-based classification of the cavernous sinus from an endonasal perspective.The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/aNXFRdGfjpI.

Endoscopic endonasal transcavernous posterior clinoidectomy with interdural pituitary transposition

2014 ◽  
Vol 121 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan C. Fernandez-Miranda ◽  
Paul A. Gardner ◽  
Milton M. Rastelli ◽  
Maria Peris-Celda ◽  
Maria Koutourousiou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Gland ◽  
Cavernous Sinus ◽  
Venous Drainage ◽  
Surgical Anatomy ◽  
Medial Wall ◽  
Endoscopic Endonasal ◽  
Interpeduncular Cistern ◽  
Working Space ◽  
Petroclival Meningiomas ◽  
Extradural Approach

Object The object of this paper was to describe the surgical anatomy and technical nuances of the endonasal transcavernous posterior clinoidectomy approach with interdural pituitary transposition and to report the clinical outcome of this technical modification. Methods The surgical anatomy of the proposed approach was studied in 10 colored silicon-injected anatomical specimens. The medical records of 12 patients that underwent removal of the posterior clinoid(s) with this technique were reviewed. Results The natural anatomical corridor provided by the cavernous sinus is used to get access to the posterior clinoid by mobilizing the pituitary gland in an interdural fashion. The medial wall of the cavernous sinus is preserved intact and attached to the gland during its medial and superior mobilization. This provides protection to the gland, allowing for preservation of its venous drainage pathways. The inferior hypophyseal artery is transected to facilitate the manipulation of the medial wall of the cavernous sinus and pituitary gland. This approach was successfully performed in all patients, including 6 with chordomas, 5 with petroclival meningiomas, and 1 with an epidermoid tumor. No patient in this series had neurovascular injury related to the posterior clinoidectomy. There were no instances of permanent hypopituitarism or diabetes insipidus. Conclusions The authors introduce a surgical variant of the endoscopic endonasal posterior clinoidectomy approach that does not require intradural pituitary transposition and is more effective than the purely extradural approach. The endoscopic endonasal transcavernous approach facilitates the removal of prominent posterior clinoids increasing the working space at the lateral recess of the interpeduncular cistern, while preserving the pituitary function.

scholarly journals The foramen lacerum: surgical anatomy and relevance for endoscopic endonasal approaches

2019 ◽  
Vol 131 (5) ◽  
pp. 1571-1582 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei-Hsin Wang ◽  
Stefan Lieber ◽  
Roger Neves Mathias ◽  
Xicai Sun ◽  
Paul A. Gardner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multislice Ct ◽  
Lateral Wall ◽  
Anterior Wall ◽  
Surgical Anatomy ◽  
Average Height ◽  
Endoscopic Endonasal ◽  
Average Width ◽  
Effective Removal ◽  
Adjacent Structures ◽  
Vidian Canal

OBJECTIVEThe foramen lacerum is a relevant skull base structure that has been neglected for many years. From the endoscopic endonasal perspective, the foramen lacerum is a key structure due to its location at the crossroad between the sagittal and coronal planes. The objective of this study was to provide a detailed investigation of the surgical anatomy of the foramen lacerum and its adjacent structures based on anatomical dissections and imaging studies, propose several relevant key surgical landmarks, and demonstrate the surgical technique for its full exposure with several illustrative cases.METHODSTen colored silicone-injected anatomical specimens were dissected using a transpterygoid approach to the foramen lacerum region in a stepwise manner. Five similar specimens were used for a comparative transcranial approach. The osseous anatomy was examined in 32 high-resolution multislice CT studies and 1 disarticulated skull. Representative cases were selected to illustrate the application of the findings.RESULTSThe pterygosphenoidal fissure is the synchondrosis between the lacerum process of the pterygoid bone and the floor of the sphenoid bone. It constantly converges with the posterior end of the vidian canal at a 45° angle, and its posterolateral end points directly to the lacerum foramen. The pterygoid tubercle separates the vidian canal from the pterygosphenoidal fissure, and forms the anterior wall of the lower part of the foramen lacerum. The lingual process, which forms the lateral wall of the foramen lacerum, was identified in 53 of 64 sides and featured an average height of 5 mm. The mandibular strut separates the foramen lacerum from the foramen ovale and had an average width of 5 mm.CONCLUSIONSThis study provides relevant surgical landmarks and a systematic approach to the foramen lacerum by defining anterior, medial, lateral, and inferior walls that may facilitate its safe exposure for effective removal of lesions while minimizing the risk of injury to the internal carotid artery.

Endoscopic Endonasal Approaches to the Cavernous Sinus: Surgical Approaches

Neurosurgery ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 354-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra Alfieri ◽  
Hae-Dong Jho
Keyword(s):  
Cavernous Sinus ◽  
Middle Turbinate ◽  
Lateral Wall ◽  
Surgical Instruments ◽  
Surgical Approaches ◽  
Lateral Nasal Wall ◽  
Orbital Apex ◽  
Superior Orbital Fissure ◽  
Endoscopic Endonasal ◽  
Surgical Access

Abstract OBJECTIVE After completion of an earlier endoscopic transsphenoidal anatomic study, we studied various endoscopic transsphenoidal approaches using cadaveric specimens to develop endoscopic endonasal surgical approaches to the cavernous sinus. METHODS Ten cavernous sinuses in five artery-injected adult cadaveric heads were studied with 0-, 30-, and 70-degree angled 4-mm rod-lens endoscopes. The extent of the surgical exposure, the skewed endoscopic anatomic view, and the maneuverability of surgical instruments through their relative operating spaces were studied after various endoscopic endonasal approaches via one nostril. RESULTS The paraseptal approach was used between the nasal septum and the middle turbinate and provided exposure at the anteromedial portion of the cavernous sinus. The contralateral paraseptal approach rendered a slightly more medial view at the cavernous sinus than did the ipsilateral approach. This approach offered limited surgical access to the lateral vertical compartment. The middle turbinectomy approach allowed surgical access to the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus, except for the superior orbital fissure and the orbital apex. The middle meatal approach, which was made between the middle turbinate and the lateral nasal wall, revealed the entire lateral vertical compartment of the cavernous sinus, including the orbital apex and the superior orbital fissure. However, its lateral tangential surgical trajectory and the absence of dedicated surgical tools limited the surgeon's surgical maneuverability. A combination of the middle turbinectomy and middle meatal approaches increased the operating space. CONCLUSION Various endoscopic endonasal surgical approaches to the cavernous sinus were studied using adult cadaveric head specimens.

scholarly journals Endoscopic endonasal transoculomotor triangle approach for adenomas invading the parapeduncular space: surgical anatomy, technical nuances, and case series

2019 ◽  
Vol 130 (4) ◽  
pp. 1304-1314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristian Ferrareze Nunes ◽  
Stefan Lieber ◽  
Huy Q. Truong ◽  
Georgios Zenonos ◽  
Eric W. Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cavernous Sinus ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Surgical Anatomy ◽  
Oculomotor Nerve ◽  
Oculomotor Nerve Palsy ◽  
Tumor Extension ◽  
Endoscopic Endonasal ◽  
Transcranial Approach ◽  
Surgical Corridor ◽  
Dural Opening

OBJECTIVEPituitary adenomas may extend into the parapeduncular space by invading through the roof of the cavernous sinus. Currently, a transcranial approach is the preferred choice, with or without the combination of an endonasal approach. In this paper the authors present a novel surgical approach that takes advantage of the natural corridor provided by the tumor to further open the oculomotor triangle and resect tumor extension into the parapeduncular space.METHODSSix injected specimens were used to demonstrate in detail the surgical anatomy related to the approach. Four cases in which the proposed approach was used were retrospectively reviewed.RESULTSFrom a technical perspective, the first step involves accessing the superior compartment of the cavernous sinus. The interclinoid ligament should be identified and the dura forming the oculomotor triangle exposed. The oculomotor dural opening may be then extended posteriorly toward the posterior petroclinoidal ligament and inferolaterally toward the anterior petroclinoidal ligament. The oculomotor nerve should then be identified; in this series it was displaced superomedially in all 4 cases. The posterior communicating artery should also be identified to avoid its injury. In all 4 cases, the tumor invading the parapeduncular space was completely removed. There were no vascular injuries and only 1 patient had a partial oculomotor nerve palsy that completely resolved in 2 weeks.CONCLUSIONSThe endoscopic endonasal transoculomotor approach is an original alternative for removal of tumor extension into the parapeduncular space in a single procedure. The surgical corridor is increased by opening the dura of the oculomotor triangle and by working below and lateral to the cisternal segment of the oculomotor nerve.

Endoscopic Endonasal Transmaxillary Transsphenoidal Approach for Excision of a Superior Orbital Fissure-Cavernous Sinus Meningioma: 2-Dimensional Operative Video

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. E61-E62
Author(s):  
Ehab El Refaee ◽  
Steffen Fleck ◽  
Marc Matthes ◽  
Henry W S Schroeder
Keyword(s):  
Mr Imaging ◽  
Cavernous Sinus ◽  
Tumor Resection ◽  
Middle Turbinate ◽  
Lateral Wall ◽  
Optic Canal ◽  
Superior Orbital Fissure ◽  
Endoscopic Endonasal ◽  
Cavernous Sinus Meningioma ◽  
Left Middle

Abstract We present a 43-old-male who suffered from a slowly progressive loss of vision in the left eye. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed a well-circumscribed contrast-enhancing lesion in the region of the anterior cavernous sinus and superior orbital fissure that extended into the optic canal. A schwannoma or meningioma was suspected. A transcranial surgery performed at another institution was not successful in removing the tumor and further deterioration of vision occurred. After resection of the left middle turbinate, the sphenoid and maxillary sinus were opened. The bulging of the tumor was seen at the lateral wall of the sphenoid sinus. After bony decompression of the optic canal, the dura was opened. A meningioma was exposed that arose in between the dural layers of the cavernous sinus. A nice dissection plane was found and the tumor was circumferentially dissected and finally totally removed. There were no complications such as double vision or visual field deficit. MR imaging confirmed a total tumor resection. The visual acuity normalized within a few days. MR imaging obtained 3 yr after surgery shows no recurrence.

Classification of Pituitary Adenomas Invading the Cavernous Sinus Assisted by Three-Dimensional Multimodal Imaging and Its Clinical Application

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yukun Zhang ◽  
Shaohua Tu ◽  
Lian Duan ◽  
Weilun Fu ◽  
Jianbo Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cavernous Sinus ◽  
Pituitary Adenomas ◽  
Multimodal Imaging ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Lateral Wall ◽  
Lateral Compartment ◽  
Posterior Compartment ◽  
Grade 3 ◽  
Distinct Separation

Abstract Introduction To help diagnose and evaluate the prognosis of pituitary adenoma with cavernous sinus (CS) invasion and guide endonasal endoscopic surgery (EES) assisted by intraoperative navigation (ION) with three-dimensional multimodal imaging (3D-MMI). We propose a classification of CS invasion based on 3D-MMI. Methods We picked some appropriate cases and reconstructed the 3D-MMI and then classified them into 3 grades according to the stereo relationship among ICA, tumor and CS in 3D-MMI. Then, we applied different strategies according to their grade to remove pituitary adenomas that invaded the CS. Results All 38 patients were divided into 3 grades. Tumors compressing the ICA and CS without CS invasion were divided into grade 1. Tumors encasing the ICA and invading the superior-posterior compartment and/or anterior-inferior compartment but without distinct separation of the ICA and CS lateral wall were deemed as grade 2. Tumors encasing the ICA and filling the lateral compartment of the CS that dissociated the lateral wall from the ICA were deemed as grade 3. The 3D-MMI enabled adequate spatial visualization of the ICA, CS and tumors. All patients were operated on under the guidance of ION with 3D-MMI. Conclusions Classification based on 3D-MMI can better demonstrate the relationships among tumor, ICA and CS in a stereo and multi-angle view, which will have significance in guiding the surgical strategy.

Development of Artificial Cranial Base Model With Soft Tissues for Practical Education

2010 ◽  
Vol 66 (suppl_2) ◽  
pp. onsE339-onsE341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kentaro Mori ◽  
Takuji Yamamoto ◽  
Yasuaki Nakao ◽  
Takanori Esaki
Keyword(s):  
Cavernous Sinus ◽  
Dura Mater ◽  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Surgical Simulation ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Single Layer ◽  
Lateral Wall ◽  
Cranial Base ◽  
Superior Orbital Fissure ◽  
3 Dimensional

Abstract OBJECTIVE Improved educational tools for anatomic understanding and surgical simulation of the cranial base are needed because of the limited opportunities for cadaver dissection. A 3-dimensional cranial base model with retractable artificial dura mater is essential to simulate the epidural cranial base approach. METHODS We developed our 3-dimensional cranial base model with artificial dura mater, venous sinuses, cavernous sinus, internal carotid artery, and cranial nerves, and the extradural temporopolar approach was simulated using this new model. INSTRUMENTATION This model can be dissected with a surgical drill because of the artificial bone material. The periosteal dura was reconstructed in the medial wall of the cavernous sinus, periorbita, and periosteal bridge in the superior orbital fissure with yellow silicone. The meningeal dura was made with brown silicone. The single-layer dura mater could be dissected from the bone surface and retracted with a surgical spatula. RESULTS Extradural drilling of the superior orbital fissure and opening of the optic canal were similar to actual surgery. Extradural anterior clinoidectomy was performed via the extradural space by retracting the artificial dura mater. The artificial dura propria of the lateral wall in the cavernous sinus was successfully peeled from the artificial cranial nerves to complete the extradural temporopolar approach. CONCLUSION The improved 3-dimensional cranial base model provides a useful educational tool for the anatomic understanding and surgical simulation of extradural cranial base surgery.

scholarly journals Endoscopic Endonasal Supraoptic and Infraoptic Approaches for Complex “Parasuprasellar” Lesions: Surgical Anatomy, Technique Nuances, and Case Series

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
You Yuan Bao ◽  
You Qing Yang ◽  
Lin Zhou ◽  
Shen Hao Xie ◽  
Xiao Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Simulation ◽  
Tumor Resection ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Surgical Anatomy ◽  
Anterior Clinoid Process ◽  
Endoscopic Endonasal ◽  
Multiple Aneurysms ◽  
Suprasellar Region ◽  
Midline Approach ◽  
Planum Sphenoidale

Abstract Surgical management of lesions involving the lateral area of the suprasellar region, including the lateral aspect of the planum sphenoidale and a tight junction region of the optic canal (OC), the anterior clinoid process (ACP), and the internal carotid artery (ICA) and its dural rings, is extremely challenging. Here, the authors introduce two novels endoscopic endonasal supraoptic (EESO) and endoscopic endonasal infraoptic (EEIO) approaches to access these regions, namely, “parasuprasellar” area. Surgical simulation of the EESO and EEIO approaches to the parasuprasellar area was conducted in 5 silicon-injected specimens. The same techniques were applied in 12 patients involving the parasuprasellar area.The EESO and EEIO approaches can be used independently or in combination, but are more often employed as a complement to the endoscopic endonasal midline approach and transcavernous approach. In clinical application, the EESO and EEIO approaches were successfully performed in 12 patients harboring tumors and multiple aneurysms involving the parasuprasellar area. Gross total and subtotal tumor resection were achieved in 9 patients and 1 patient, respectively. For two patients with multiple aneurysms, the lesions were clipped selectively according to location and size. Visual acuity improved in 7 patients, remained stable in 4, and deteriorated in only 1. No postoperative intracranial infection or ICA injury occurred in this series. The EESO and EEIO approaches can be combined with the current endoscopic endonasal midline approach and transcavernous approach to remove extensive pathologies involving the intrasellar, suprasellar, sphenoid, and cavernous sinuses and even bifurcation of the ICA.

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