Objective: To examine and compare the accuracy of measurements obtained from photogrammetric models versus direct measurements taken on dry skulls, with the aim to verify the feasibility of photogrammetry for quantitative analysis in microsurgical neuroanatomy.
Methods: Two dry human skulls were used. Each was scanned using the dual camera system of a smartphone The selected photos were separately processed using 2 different softwares to create three-dimensional models.
Anatomical knowledge plays a crucial role in the field of neurosurgery, originating from the rigorous requirements of surgical training. The study examines the training programs for young and future generations of neurosurgeons, highlighting the significance of rigorous dissection program in the laboratory of anatomy along with the challenges they face. It also details the training paths of aspiring surgeons, focusing on the high demands and challenges encountered in the anatomy laboratory and in a real surgical scenario.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: A deep knowledge of the surgical anatomy of the target area is mandatory for a successful operative procedure. For this purpose, over the years, many teaching and learning methods have been described, from the most ancient cadaveric dissection to the most recent virtual reality, each with their respective pros and cons. Photogrammetry, an emergent technique, allows for the creation of three-dimensional (3D) models and reconstructions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Endoscopic transorbital approach emerged in recent years as an effective, minimally invasive route to access Meckel's cave area. Several case series proved its effectiveness in the surgical treatment of trigeminal schwannomas. This route provides the advantages of a minimally invasive approach associated with low morbidity rates.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Objectives: McCarty keyhole (MCK) is the most important entry point during orbitocranial and cranio-orbital approaches; nevertheless, its anatomic coordinates have never been detailedly described from transorbital perspective. To provide the spatial coordinates for intraorbital projection of the "mirror" MCK by using the well-established main anatomic-surgical bony landmarks met along transorbital corridor.
Methods: MCK was identified in 15 adult dry skulls (30 sides) on exocranial surface of pterional region based on the well-defined external bony landmarks: on the frontosphenoid suture, 5 to 6 mm behind the joining point (JP) of frontozygomatic suture (FZS), frontosphenoid suture (FSS), and sphenozygomatic suture (SZS).
An endoscopic transorbital approach has been recently included in the neurosurgical armamentarium.1 We present a case of a 31-year-old female patient with a history of recent-onset refractory epilepsy related to a left temporal pole cavernoma operated through a superior eyelid endoscopic transorbital approach. The operative video shows the key surgical steps to ensure optimal surgical freedom, adequate exposure, and complete tumor resection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Clin Med
May 2024
The endoscopic contralateral transmaxillary (CTM) approach has been proposed as a potential route to widen the corridor posterolateral to the internal carotid artery (ICA). In this study, we first refined the surgical technique of a combined multiportal endoscopic endonasal transclival (EETC) and CTM approach to the petrous apex (PA) and petroclival synchondrosis (PCS) in the dissection laboratory, and then validated its applications in a preliminary surgical series. The combined EETC and CTM approach was performed on three cadaver specimens based on four surgical steps: (1) the nasal, (2) the clival, (3) the maxillary and (4) the petrosal phases.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: The superior eyelid endoscopic transorbital approach (SETOA) provides a direct and short minimally invasive route to the anterior and middle skull base. Nevertheless, it uses a narrow corridor that limits its angles of attack. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and potential benefits of an "extended" conservative variant of the "standard" endoscopic transorbital approach-termed "open-door"-to enhance the exposure of lesions affecting the paramedian aspect of the anterior and middle cranial fossae.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: Several factors contribute to the anatomical complexity of the trochlear nerve, including small diameter, complex and longest intracranial course, deep location, and numerous neurovascular relationships. A 3-dimensional (3D) photorealistic model of the cranial nerves provides a detailed and immersive representation of the anatomy, enabling one to improve surgical planning, advanced surgical research, and training. The purpose of this work is to present a 3D photogrammetric study for a more intuitive and interactive way to explore and describe the entire course of trochlear nerve.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Virtual reality-based learning of neuroanatomy is a new feasible method to explore, visualize, and dissect interactively complex anatomic regions. We provide a new interactive photorealistic three-dimensional (3D) model of sellar region microsurgical anatomy that allows side-by-side views of exocranial and endocranial surfaces to be explored, with the aim of assisting young neurosurgery residents in learning microsurgical anatomy of this complex region.
Methods: Four head specimens underwent an endoscopic endonasal approach extended to the anterior and posterior skull base to expose the main bony anatomic landmarks of the sellar region.
Introduction: The transorbital route has been proposed for addressing orbital and paramedian skull base lesions. It can be complemented by further marginotomies, as per "extended-transorbital approach" and combined with others ventro-basal approaches featuring the concept of "multiportal surgery". Nevertheless, it cannot address some anatomical regions like the clinoid, carotid bifurcation and the Sylvian fissure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Primary anaplastic-lymphoma-kinase (ALK)-positive large-cell lymphoma of the central nervous system (PCNS ALK-positive ALCL) is a rare entity, with a limited consensus reached regarding its management. While this pathology often presents as solitary lesions, the occurrence of multiple tumors within the brain is not uncommon. The lack of distinctive radiological features poses a diagnostic challenge, leading to delays in initiating targeted therapy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Originally adopted for the cytological screening of cervical and uterine cancer, contact endoscopy (CE) is now widely used in several fields of oncological surgery. The CE method, with magnification power up to 150x, was designed to enhance visualization and identify microscopic changes indicative of precancerous and cancerous lesions at early stages. In this pilot study, we evaluated the multimodal applications of CE during different endoscopic intracranial neurosurgical procedures.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIndocyanine green (ICG) angiography has become an established technology in many surgical fields, as well as in neurosurgery with the first application of microscope-integrated indocyanine angiography, which dates to 2003. More recently we observed the integration of ICG into endoscopic visualization (e-ICG), which resulted in different applications during the endoscopic endonasal approach ranging from evaluation of intranasal flap perfusion to differentiation of pituitary neuroendocrine tumors from normal gland or even as a predictive factor of postoperative visual function after expanded approaches. A 49-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital after a 1-year history of amenorrhea and radiologic finding of an intrasellar lesion.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDuring the last few years, the superior eyelid endoscopic transorbital approach has been proposed as a new minimally invasive pathway to access skull base lesions, mostly in ophthalmologic, otolaryngologic, and maxillofacial surgeries. However, most neurosurgeons performing minimally invasive endoscopic neurosurgery do not usually employ the orbit as a surgical corridor. The authors undertook this technical and anatomical study to contribute a neurosurgical perspective, exploring the different possibilities of this novel route.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBrain Sci
August 2023
: The cavernous sinus (CS) is a highly vulnerable anatomical space, mainly due to the neurovascular structures that it contains; therefore, a detailed knowledge of its anatomy is mandatory for surgical unlocking. In this study, we compared the anatomy of this region from different endoscopic and microsurgical operative corridors, further focusing on the corresponding anatomic landmarks encountered along these routes. Furthermore, we tried to define the safe entry zones to this venous space from these three different operative corridors, and to provide indications regarding the optimal approach according to the lesion's location.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Neurosurgical indications for the superior eyelid transorbital endoscopic approach (SETOA) are rapidly expanding over the last years. Nevertheless, as any new technique, a detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the surgical target area, the operative corridor, and the specific surgical landmark from this different perspective is required for a safest and successful surgery. Therefore, the aim of this study is to provide, through anatomical dissections, a detailed investigation of the surgical anatomy revealed by SETOA via anterolateral triangle of the middle cranial fossa.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: The petroclival region represents the "Achille's heel" for the neurosurgeons. Many ventral endoscopic routes to this region, mainly performed as isolated, have been described. The aim of the present study is to verify the feasibility of a modular, combined, multiportal approach to the petroclival region to overcome the limits of a single approach, in terms of exposure and working areas, brain retraction and manipulation of neurovascular structures.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe pattern of growth of spheno-orbital meningiomas accounts for the main presenting symptoms, such as proptosis, eye motility deficit, visual impairment, diplopia. As these are benign tumors, the postoperative patient's quality of life is an important factor to consider during the preoperative planning. A detailed literature review of superior eyelid transorbital endoscopic approach for spheno-orbital meningiomas, including our own case, was made.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: In the WHO 2016 classification of central nervous system tumors, solitary fibrous tumors (SFT) and hemangiopericytomas (HPC) were considered part of the same category given a shared mutation. Nevertheless, since the new 2021 WHO classification, the term "hemangiopericytoma" has been retired, and SFT is considered an independent pathological entity.
Methods: We reviewed the literature following preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines focusing on the treatment options and prognosis of patients with cervical SFT.