A taxonomy for cerebellar cavernous malformations: subtypes of cerebellar lesions.

Objective: An anatomical taxonomy has been established to guide surgical approach selection for resecting brainstem and deep and superficial cerebral cavernous malformations (CMs). The authors propose a novel taxonomy for cerebellar CMs, introduce 6 distinct neuroanatomical subtypes, and assess their clinical outcomes.

Methods: This bi-institutional, 2-surgeon cohort study included 143 cerebellar CMs that were microsurgically treated over a 25-year period.

A taxonomy for deep cerebral cavernous malformations: subtypes of basal ganglia lesions.

Objective: Anatomical taxonomy is a practical tool that has successfully guided clinical decision-making for patients with brain arteriovenous malformations and brainstem cavernous malformations (CMs). Deep CMs are similarly complex lesions that are difficult to access and highly variable in size, shape, and position. The authors propose a novel taxonomy for deep CMs in the basal ganglia based on clinical presentation (syndromes) and anatomical location.

A taxonomy for deep cerebral cavernous malformations: subtypes of thalamic lesions.

Objective: Anatomical taxonomy is a practical tool to successfully guide clinical decision-making for patients with brain arteriovenous malformations and brainstem cavernous malformations (CMs). Deep cerebral CMs are complex, difficult to access, and highly variable in size, shape, and position. The authors propose a novel taxonomic system for deep CMs in the thalamus based on clinical presentation (syndromes) and anatomical location (identified on MRI).

A system of anatomical triangles defining dissection routes to brainstem cavernous malformations: definitions and application to a cohort of 183 patients.

Objective: Anatomical triangles defined by intersecting neurovascular structures delineate surgical routes to pathological targets and guide neurosurgeons during dissection steps. Collections or systems of anatomical triangles have been integrated into skull base surgery to help surgeons navigate complex regions such as the cavernous sinus. The authors present a system of triangles specifically intended for resection of brainstem cavernous malformations (BSCMs).

A taxonomy for brainstem cavernous malformations: subtypes of medullary lesions.

Objective: Medullary cavernous malformations are the least common of the brainstem cavernous malformations (BSCMs), accounting for only 14% of lesions in the authors' surgical experience. In this article, a novel taxonomy for these lesions is proposed based on clinical presentation and anatomical location.

Methods: The taxonomy system was applied to a large 2-surgeon experience over a 30-year period (1990-2019).

Anatomical Triangles for Use in Skull Base Surgery: A Comprehensive Review.

Procedures performed along the skull base require technical prowess and a thorough knowledge of cranial anatomy to navigate the operative field. Anatomical triangles created by unique anatomical structures serve as landmarks to guide the surgeon during meticulous skull base procedures. The corridors rapidly orient the surgeon to the operative field and permit greater confidence regarding skull base position during dissection.

A taxonomy for brainstem cavernous malformations: subtypes of pontine lesions. Part 2: inferior peduncular, rhomboid, and supraolivary.

Objective: Part 2 of this 2-part series on pontine cavernomas presents the taxonomy for subtypes 4-6: inferior peduncular (IP) (subtype 4), rhomboid (5), and supraolivary (6). (Subtypes 1-3 are presented in Part 1.) The authors have proposed a novel taxonomy for pontine cavernous malformations based on clinical presentation (syndromes) and anatomical location (MRI findings).

A taxonomy for brainstem cavernous malformations: subtypes of pontine lesions. Part 1: basilar, peritrigeminal, and middle peduncular.

Objective: Brainstem cavernous malformations (BSCMs) are complex, difficult to access, and highly variable in size, shape, and position. The authors have proposed a novel taxonomy for pontine cavernous malformations (CMs) based upon clinical presentation (syndromes) and anatomical location (findings on MRI).

Methods: The proposed taxonomy was applied to a 30-year (1990-2019), 2-surgeon experience.

The Superficial Anastomosing Veins of the Human Brain Cortex: A Microneurosurgical Anatomical Study.

In this microneurosurgical and anatomical study, we characterized the superficial anastomosing veins of the human brain cortex in human specimens. We used 21 brain preparations fixed in formalin (5%) that showed no pathological changes and came from the autopsy sections. The superficial veins were dissected out of the arachnoid with the aid of a surgical microscope.

A taxonomy for brainstem cavernous malformations: subtypes of midbrain lesions.

Objective: Anatomical taxonomy is a practical tool that has successfully guided clinical decision-making for patients with brain arteriovenous malformations. Brainstem cavernous malformations (BSCMs) are similarly complex lesions that are difficult to access and highly variable in size, shape, and position. The authors propose a novel taxonomy for midbrain cavernous malformations based on clinical presentation (syndromes) and anatomical location (identified with MRI).