Microanatomy of the dura mater at the craniovertebral junction and spinal region for safe and effective surgical treatment

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-171
Author(s):  
Kiyoshi Ito ◽  
Mitsunori Yamada ◽  
Tetsuyoshi Horiuchi ◽  
Kazuhiro Hongo
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Treatment ◽  
Posterior Fossa ◽  
Dura Mater ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Craniovertebral Junction ◽  
Venous Sinus ◽  
Microsurgical Anatomy ◽  
Spinal Region ◽  
Vascular Structures ◽  
Minor Muscle

OBJECTIVEFew reports have been published regarding the detailed microsurgical anatomy of the dura mater at the craniovertebral junction (CVJ), although many neurosurgeons have had the opportunity to conduct surgeries in this region, such as in cases of Chiari malformation. The authors aimed to evaluate the detailed and precise microsurgical anatomy of the dura mater at the CVJ for safe and effective surgical treatment at this area.METHODSThis study consisted of dissection of 4 formalin-fixed, continuous, human cadaveric dura maters, extending from the posterior fossa to the C2 level. After removing the occipital bone and C1 laminae, a dural incision was made to harvest the specimen. The following structural and topographical aspects of the dura mater in each region were studied: 1) thickness, 2) morphological characteristics, and 3) vascular structures.RESULTSThe average thicknesses of the dura mater were 313.4 ± 137.0 μm, 3051.5 ± 798.8 μm, and 866.5 ± 359.0 μm in the posterior cranial fossa, CVJ, and spinal region, respectively. The outer layer of the posterior cranial dura mater and the tendon of the rectus capitis posterior minor muscle were connected, forming the “myodural bridge.” The dura mater at the CVJ had a well-developed vascular network. These vascular structures were determined to be veins or the venous sinus, and were mainly located around the interface between the inner layer of the cranial dura mater and the rectus capitis posterior minor muscle layer. Regarding the morphological features, the bulging located in the inner layer of the dura mater at the CVJ was determined to be the marginal sinus, and contained a pacchionian granulation that allowed for CSF circulation. In the spinal region, the dura mater was characterized by a single, thick layer enclosing the collagen fibers with almost the same orientation.CONCLUSIONSThe dura mater at the CVJ displayed dynamic morphological changes within an extremely short segment. Its characteristic anatomical features were not similar to those in the cranial regions. The dural bulging at the CVJ was determined to be the venous sinus. During surgery in the posterior fossa, CVJ, and spinal cord, different procedures should be used because of the specific microsurgical anatomy of each region.

Microsurgical Anatomy of the Posterior Fossa Cisterns

Neurosurgery ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haruo Matsuno ◽  
Albert L. Rhoton ◽  
David Peace
Keyword(s):  
Posterior Fossa ◽  
Microsurgical Anatomy ◽  
Posterior Edge ◽  
Cisterna Magna ◽  
Lower Sheet ◽  
Vascular Structures ◽  
Liliequist’S Membrane ◽  
Oculomotor Nerves

ABSTRACT The microsurgical anatomy of the posterior fossa cisterns was examined in 15 cadavers using 3× to 40× magnification. Liliequist's membrane was found to split into two arachnoidal sheets as it spreads upward from the dorsum sellae: an upper sheet, called the diencephalic membrane, which attaches to the diencephalon at the posterior edge of the mamillary bodies, and a lower sheet, called the mesencephalic membrane, which attaches along the junction of the midbrain and pons. Several other arachnoidal membranes that separate the cisterns were identified. These include the anterior pontine membrane, which separates the prepontine and cerebellopontine cisterns; the lateral pontomesencephalic membrane, which separates the ambient and cerebellopontine cisterns; the medial pontomedullary membrane, which separates the premedullary and prepontine cisterns; and the lateral pontomedullary membrane, which separates the cerebellopontine and cerebellomedullary cisterns. The three cisterns in which the arachnoid trabeculae and membranes are the most dense and present the greatest obstacle at operation are the interpeduncular and quadrigeminal cisterns and the cisterna magna. Numerous arachnoid membranes were found to intersect the oculomotor nerves. The neural and vascular structures in each cistern are reviewed.

scholarly journals Suboccipital craniectomy with opening of the fourth ventricle and duraplasty: study of 192 cases of craniovertebral malformations

2013 ◽  
Vol 71 (9A) ◽  
pp. 609-614 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Alberto Goncalves da Silva ◽  
Adailton Arcanjo dos Santos Jr. ◽  
Maria do Desterro Leiros da Costa ◽  
Everardo Bandeira de Almeida
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Treatment ◽  
Posterior Fossa ◽  
Fourth Ventricle ◽  
Surgical Techniques ◽  
Craniovertebral Junction ◽  
Csf Dynamics ◽  
Upward Migration ◽  
Suboccipital Craniectomy ◽  
Prime Objective ◽  
Large Opening

The prime objective in the surgical treatment of basilar impression (BI), Chiari malformation (CM), and/or syringomyelia (SM) is based on restoration of the normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics at the craniovertebral junction and creation of a large artificial cisterna magna, avoiding the caudal migration of the hindbrain. It is observed that a large craniectomy might facilitate an upward migration of the posterior fossa structures. There are many surgical techniques to decompress the posterior fossa; however, a gold standard approach remains unclear. The authors present the results of 192 cases of BI, CM, and SM treated between 1975 and 2008 and whose surgical treatment was characterized by a large craniectomy without tonsillectomy with the patient in the sitting position, large opening of the fourth ventricle, and duraplasty.

scholarly journals Posterior fossa decompression with tonsillectomy in 104 cases of basilar impression, Chiari malformation and/or syringomyelia

2011 ◽  
Vol 69 (5) ◽  
pp. 817-823 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Alberto Gonçalves da Silva ◽  
Adailton Arcanjo dos Santos Jr ◽  
Luiz Ricardo Santiago Melo ◽  
Antônio Fernandes de Araújo ◽  
Giseuda Pessoa Regueira
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Treatment ◽  
Posterior Fossa ◽  
Chiari Malformation ◽  
Craniovertebral Junction ◽  
Posterior Fossa Decompression ◽  
Basilar Impression ◽  
Upward Migration ◽  
Cisterna Magna ◽  
Suboccipital Craniectomy ◽  
Prime Objective

The prime objective in the surgical treatment of basilar impression (BI), Chiari malformation (CM) and/or syringomyelia (SM) is based on the restoration of the normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics at the craniovertebral junction through the creation of a large artificial cisterna magna. A small suboccipital craniectomy has been emphasized to avoid caudal migration of the hindbrain structures into the vertebral canal. Nevertheless, the results showed downward migration of the hindbrain related to that type of craniectomy. The authors present, otherwise, the results of 104 cases of BI, CM and/or SM, whose surgical treatment was characterized by a large craniectomy with the patient in the sitting position, tonsillectomy, large opening of the fourth ventricle and duraplasty with creation of a large artificial cisterna magna. A significant upward migration of the posterior fossa structures was detected by postoperative magnetic resonance imaging.

Microsurgical Anatomy of the Triangles of the Posterior Fossa: Neurosurgical Relevance

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro Monroy-Sosa ◽  
Srikant Chakravarthi ◽  
Jonathan Ortiz Rafael ◽  
Austin Epping ◽  
Richard Rovin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Posterior Fossa ◽  
Microsurgical Anatomy

Patients with “benign” Chiari I malformations require surgical decompression at a low rate

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 498-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tofey J. Leon ◽  
Elizabeth N. Kuhn ◽  
Anastasia A. Arynchyna ◽  
Burkely P. Smith ◽  
R. Shane Tubbs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Treatment ◽  
Posterior Fossa ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Large Cohort ◽  
Initial Evaluation ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Posterior Fossa Decompression ◽  
Signal Abnormality ◽  
Chiari I

OBJECTIVEThere are sparse published data on the natural history of “benign” Chiari I malformation (CM-I)—i.e., Chiari with minimal or no symptoms at presentation and no imaging evidence of syrinx, hydrocephalus, or spinal cord signal abnormality. The purpose of this study was to review a large cohort of children with benign CM-I and to determine whether these children become symptomatic and require surgical treatment.METHODSPatients were identified from institutional outpatient records using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, diagnosis codes for CM-I from 1996 to 2016. After review of the medical records, patients were excluded if they 1) did not have a diagnosis of CM-I, 2) were not evaluated by a neurosurgeon, 3) had previously undergone posterior fossa decompression, or 4) had imaging evidence of syringomyelia at their first appointment. To include only patients with benign Chiari (without syrinx or classic Chiari symptoms that could prompt immediate intervention), any patient who underwent decompression within 9 months of initial evaluation was excluded. After a detailed chart review, patients were excluded if they had classical Chiari malformation symptoms at presentation. The authors then determined what changes in the clinical picture prompted surgical treatment. Patients were excluded from the multivariate logistic regression analysis if they had missing data such as race and insurance; however, these patients were included in the overall survival analysis.RESULTSA total of 427 patients were included for analysis with a median follow-up duration of 25.5 months (range 0.17–179.1 months) after initial evaluation. Fifteen patients had surgery at a median time of 21.0 months (range 11.3–139.3 months) after initial evaluation. The most common indications for surgery were tussive headache in 5 (33.3%), syringomyelia in 5 (33.3%), and nontussive headache in 5 (33.3%). Using the Kaplan-Meier method, rate of freedom from posterior fossa decompression was 95.8%, 94.1%, and 93.1% at 3, 5, and 10 years, respectively.CONCLUSIONSAmong a large cohort of patients with benign CM-I, progression of imaging abnormalities or symptoms that warrant surgical treatment is infrequent. Therefore, these patients should be managed conservatively. However, clinical follow-up of such individuals is justified, as there is a low, but nonzero, rate of new symptom or syringomyelia development. Future analyses will determine whether imaging or clinical features present at initial evaluation are associated with progression and future need for treatment.

Microsurgical anatomy and treatment of dural defects in spontaneous spinal cerebrospinal fluid leaks

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Ako Matsuhashi ◽  
Keisuke Takai ◽  
Makoto Taniguchi
Keyword(s):  
Dura Mater ◽  
Fat Grafting ◽  
Thoracolumbar Junction ◽  
Microsurgical Anatomy ◽  
Dural Defect ◽  
Ct Myelography ◽  
Blood Patch ◽  
Neurosurgical Treatment ◽  
Dural Defects ◽  
Csf Leaks

OBJECTIVESpontaneous spinal CSF leaks are caused by abnormalities of the spinal dura mater. Although most cases are treated conservatively or with an epidural blood patch, some intractable cases require neurosurgical treatment. However, previous reports are limited to a small number of cases. Preoperative detection and localization of spinal dural defects are difficult, and surgical repair of these defects is technically challenging. The authors present the anatomical characteristics of dural defects and surgical techniques in treating spontaneous CSF leaks.METHODSAmong the consecutive patients who were diagnosed with spontaneous CSF leaks at the authors’ institution between 2010 and 2020, those who required neurosurgical treatment were included in the study. All patients’ clinical information, radiological studies, surgical notes, and outcomes were reviewed retrospectively. Outcomes of two different procedures in repairing dural defects were compared.RESULTSAmong 77 patients diagnosed with spontaneous CSF leaks, 21 patients (15 men; mean age 57 years) underwent neurosurgery. Dural defects were detected by FIESTA MRI in 7 patients, by CT myelography in 12, by digital subtraction myelography in 1, and by dynamic CT myelography in 1. The spinal levels of the defects were localized at the cervicothoracic junction in 16 patients (76%) and thoracolumbar junction in 4 (19%). Intraoperative findings revealed that the dural defects were small, circumscribed longitudinal slits located at the ventral aspect of the dura mater. The median dural defect size was 5 × 2 mm. The presence of dural defects at the thoracolumbar junction was associated with manifestation of an altered mental status, which was an unusual manifestation of CSF leaks (p = 0.003). Eight patients were treated via the posterior transdural approach with watertight primary sutures of the ventral defects, and 13 were treated with muscle or fat grafting. Regardless of the two different procedures, postoperative MRI showed either complete disappearance or significant reduction of the extradural CSF collection. No patient experienced postoperative neurological deficits. Clinical symptoms improved or stabilized in 20 patients with a median follow-up of 12 months.CONCLUSIONSDural defects in spontaneous CSF leaks were small, circumscribed longitudinal slits located ventral to the spinal cord at either the cervicothoracic or thoracolumbar junction. Muscle/fat grafting may be an alternative treatment to watertight primary sutures of ventral dural defects with a good outcome.

MICROSURGICAL ANATOMY OF THE DIAPHRAGMA SELLAE AND ITS ROLE IN DIRECTING THE PATTERN OF GROWTH OF PITUITARY ADENOMAS

Neurosurgery ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 717-723 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alvaro Campero ◽  
Carolina Martins ◽  
Alexandre Yasuda ◽  
Albert L. Rhoton
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Adenoma ◽  
Cavernous Sinus ◽  
Dura Mater ◽  
Pituitary Adenomas ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Pituitary Tumors ◽  
Microsurgical Anatomy ◽  
Suprasellar Region ◽  
Lateral Distance ◽  
Diaphragma Sellae

Abstract OBJECTIVE To evaluate the anatomic aspects of the diaphragma sellae and its potential role in directing the growth of a pituitary adenoma. METHODS Twenty cadaveric heads were dissected and measurements were taken at the level of the diaphragma sellae. RESULTS The diaphragma sellae is composed of two layers of dura mater. There is a remarkable variation in the morphology of the diaphragm opening. The average anteroposterior distance of the opening was 7.26 mm (range, 3.4–10.7 mm) and the average lateral-to-lateral distance was 7.33 mm (range, 2.8–14.1 mm). CONCLUSION The variability in the diameter of the opening of the diaphragma sellae could explain the growth of pituitary tumors toward the cavernous sinus or toward the suprasellar region.

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