A combined frontotemporal and lateral infratemporal fossa approach to the skull base

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 678-683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce Mickey ◽  
Lanny Close ◽  
Steven Schaefer ◽  
Duke Samson
Keyword(s):  
Cavernous Sinus ◽  
Infratemporal Fossa ◽  
Middle Cranial Fossa ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Orbital Apex ◽  
Upper Aerodigestive Tract ◽  
Temporalis Muscle ◽  
Anterior Portion ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cranial Fossa

✓ A variety of neoplasms involve both the infratemporal fossa and the base of the middle cranial fossa, in medial proximity to the cavernous sinus and orbital apex. To provide simultaneous access to both the intracranial and extracranial aspects of these tumors, a temporal or frontotemporal craniotomy may be combined with a lateral exposure of the infratemporal fossa. The approach, which is readily achieved by a neurosurgeon and an otolaryngologist acting as a team, involves a unilateral frontotemporal incision extended inferiorly onto the neck, a lateral facial flap reflected anteriorly, and transection of the zygoma followed by its reflection inferolaterally with the temporalis muscle. This exposure provides excellent visualization of both the intradural and extradural aspects of the anterior portion of the cavernous sinus, allowing for an aggressive resection of neoplasms involving this region. Experience with this procedure is reported here in the management of nine patients: three with nasopharyngeal angiofibromas, three with low-grade malignancies of the upper aerodigestive tract, and three with sphenoid ridge meningiomas.

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.

Surgical Approaches to the Cavernous Sinus: A Microsurgical Study

Neurosurgery ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 903-932 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tooru Inoue ◽  
Albert L. Rhoton ◽  
Dan Theele ◽  
Margaret E. Barry
Keyword(s):  
Carotid Artery ◽  
Cavernous Sinus ◽  
Infratemporal Fossa ◽  
Lateral Wall ◽  
Middle Cranial Fossa ◽  
Surgical Approaches ◽  
Anterior Clinoid Process ◽  
Anatomic Variants ◽  
Cranial Fossa ◽  
Extradural Approach

Abstract The surgical approaches to the cavernous sinus were examined in 50 adult cadaveric cavernous sinuses using magnification of ×3 to ×40. The following approaches were examined: 1) the superior intradural approach directed through a frontotemporal craniotomy and the roof of the cavernous sinus: 2) the superior intradural approach combined with an extradural approach for removing the anterior clinoid process and unroofing the optic canal and orbit; 3) the superomedial approach directed through a supraorbital craniotomy and subfrontal exposure to the wall of the sinus adjacent to the pituitary gland; 4) the lateral intradural approach directed below the temporal lobe to the lateral wall of the sinus; 5) the lateral extradural approach for exposure of the internal carotid artery in the floor of the middle cranial fossa proximal to the sinus; 6) the combined lateral and inferolateral approach, in which the infratemporal fossa was opened and the full course of the petrous carotid artery and the lateral wall of the sinus were exposed and; 7) the inferomedial approach, in which the medial wall of the sinus was exposed by the transnasal-transsphenoidal route. It was clear that a single approach was not capable of providing access to all parts of the sinus. The intracavernous structures best exposed by each route are reviewed. The osseous relationships in the region were examined in dry skulls. Anatomic variants important in exposing the cavernous sinus are reviewed.

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.

Angiofibroma of the middle cranial fossa

1971 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Vasudeva Iyer ◽  
N. D. Vaishya ◽  
A. Bhaktaviziam ◽  
G. M. Taori ◽  
Jacob Abraham
Keyword(s):  
Young Woman ◽  
Middle Cranial Fossa ◽  
Intracranial Tumor ◽  
Rare Occurrence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cranial Fossa ◽  
Primary Intracranial Tumor ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The rare occurrence of angiofibroma as a primary intracranial tumor in the middle cranial fossa is reported in a young woman, and related reports are reviewed.

Intracranial arachnoid cysts in children. A comparison of the effects of fenestration and shunting

1991 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 230-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel F. Ciricillo ◽  
Philip H. Cogen ◽  
Griffith R. Harsh ◽  
Michael S. B. Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Middle Cranial Fossa ◽  
Arachnoid Cysts ◽  
Shunt Revision ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cyst Recurrence ◽  
Cranial Fossa ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Low Incidence ◽  
Cyst Fenestration

✓ The best operative intervention for children with arachnoid cysts remains the subject of controversy. Recent reports stress that craniotomy for cyst fenestration is associated with a low incidence of morbidity and mortality and may leave the child shunt-independent. The cases of 40 pediatric patients with arachnoid cysts treated between 1978 and 1989 are reported. Five children with mild symptoms and small cysts that remained stable on follow-up studies have not required surgical intervention. Of 15 patients with cysts initially treated by fenestration, 10 (67%) showed no clinical or radiographic improvement postoperatively and have undergone cyst-peritoneal (eight patients) or ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting (one patient), or revision of a VP shunt placed for hydrocephalus before cyst fenestration (one patient). Two other patients with existing VP shunts required no further procedures. Thus, only three (20%) of 15 patients initially treated by fenestration remain shunt-independent after a median follow-up period of 8 years. The 20 other patients were initially treated by cyst shunting and all improved postoperatively; shunt revision has been necessary in six (30%) of these 20 patients because of cyst recurrence, Cyst location influenced the success of shunt treatment; none of the seven middle cranial fossa cysts treated by shunting have required revision, but results with cysts in other locations were less favorable. In all locations, though, shunting was more successful than fenestration. It is concluded that cyst-peritoneal or cyst-VP shunting is the procedure of choice for arachnoid cysts in most locations, including those in the middle cranial fossa.

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