Approaches to Parapharyngeal Space and Infratemporal Fossa Based on Different Anatomical Spaces.

Objectives: The parapharyngeal space (PPS) and infratemporal fossa (ITF) present significant challenges for endoscopic skull base surgery due to their complex anatomy and lack of clear bony landmarks. This study aims to propose a systematic compartmentalization of the PPS and ITF, based on key anatomical structures, to optimize surgical planning and approaches.

Methods: To retain a precise bony reference framework, the walls of the maxillary sinus and pterygoid bone were preserved.

Long-term facial nerve outcome in surgically treated petrous bone cholesteatoma patients.

Introduction: The term petrous bone cholesteatoma (PBC) represents a slow-growing epidermal lesion arising from the petrous part of the temporal bone. It is a rare incidence accounting for only 4-9% of all petrous bone lesions. PBC represents a real surgical challenge due to its complex relationship with critical neurovascular structures.

Oral and general health quality of life following a subtemporal preauricular infratemporal approach with condylar fossa osteotomy in surgical skull base tumor resection.

Objective: With the capacity to provide maximal lesion exposure, the subtemporal preauricular infratemporal (SPI) approach with condylar fossa osteotomy is highly utilized in radical resection of skull base tumors. While this approach requires disruption of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) for access, the effects of this maneuver are poorly appreciated in neurosurgery. The aim of this study was to assess the morbidity of condylar fossa osteotomies by comparing oral health quality of life (OHQOL) and general health quality of life (GHQOL) outcomes after TMJ-involving and TMJ-sparing skull base approaches.

Gruppo Otologico's Experience in Managing the So-Called Inoperable Tympanojugular Paraganglioma.

: to identify advanced or "so-called inoperable" cases of tympanojugular paragangliomas (PGLs) and analyze how each case is surgically managed and followed afterward. : a retrospective case series study. Out of 262 type C and D TJPs and more than 10 cases of advanced or so-called inoperable cases, files of 6 patients with a diagnosis of advanced tympanojugular PGLs who were referred to an otology and skull-base center between 1996 and 2021 were reviewed to analyze management and surgical outcomes.

Management of Petrous Bone Cholesteatoma: The Gruppo Otologico Experience.

Background: The term petrous bone cholesteatoma (PBC) refers to lesions extending deep to the bony labyrinth via superior, inferior, and posterior cell tracts. PBC is a rare incidence accounting for only 4-9% of petrous bone lesions. Lesions of petrous bone represent a real surgical challenge due to its complex relationship with critical neurovascular structures.

Jugular Foramen Paragangliomas.

Paragangliomas are the most common tumors at jugular foramen and pose a great surgical challenge. Careful clinical history and physical examination must be performed to adequately evaluate neurological deficits and its chronologic evolution, also to delineate an overview of the patient performance status. Complete imaging evaluation including MRI and CT scans should be performed, and angiography is a must to depict tumor blood supply and sigmoid sinus/internal jugular vein patency.

[Microanatomical Investigation of the Subtemporal Transtentorial Approach].

Objective: To study the microanatomic structure of the subtemporal transtentorial approach to the lateral side of the brainstem, and to provide anatomical information that will assist clinicians to perform surgeries on the lateral, circumferential, and petroclival regions of the brainstem.

Methods: Anatomical investigations were conducted on 8 cadaveric head specimens (16 sides) using the infratemporal transtentorial approach. The heads were tilted to one side, with the zygomatic arch at its highest point.

Endoscopic trans-eustachian tube approach: identifying the precise landmarks, a novel radiological and anatomical evaluation.

Purpose: The endoscopic trans-eustachian approach (ETETA) is a less invasive approach to the infratemporal fossa (ITF), providing superior exposure compared to traditional transcranial approaches. The anatomy of the pharyngotympanic (eustachian) tube and adjacent neurovascular structures is complex and requires in-depth knowledge to safely perform this approach. We present a cadaveric and radiological assessment of critical anatomic considerations for ETETA.

Anterior endoscopic sublabial transmaxillary access to middle cranial base lesions.

Background: Anterior endoscopic access to middle cranial base lesions becomes feasible in the presence of infratemporal fossa (ITF) involvement. Various approaches, including endoscopic endonasal, transoral sublabial, and transorbital methods, have been described for accessing the ITF through a transmaxillary corridor. Among these approaches, endonasal access is the most commonly preferred, while the transorbital approach is a novel technique gaining popularity.

Anatomical Step-by-Step Dissection of Complex Skull Base Approaches for Trainees: Surgical Anatomy of the Endoscopic Endonasal and Endoscopic-Assisted Transmaxillary Transpterygoid Approaches.

 The endoscopic endonasal transpterygoid approach (EETPA) with or without the addition of the endoscopic-assisted sublabial anterior transmaxillary approach (ESTA) has become increasingly utilized for lesions posterior to the pterygopalatine fossa (PPF), including infratemporal fossa (ITF), lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus, Meckel's cave, petrous apex, and parapharyngeal space. The main goal of this study is to develop an educational resource to learn the steps of the EETPA for trainees.  EETPA and ESTA were performed in 12 specimens by neurosurgery trainees, under supervision from the senior authors.

Anatomic Step-by-Step Dissection of Complex Skull Base Approaches for Trainees: Surgical Anatomy of the Infratemporal Fossa Approach to the Jugular Foramen.

Background And Objectives: The infratemporal fossa (ITF) is a complex region bounded by the temporal bone, maxilla, sphenoid, pterygoid plates, and mandibular ramus. Containing a high density of neurovascular and musculoskeletal structures, the ITF can house a number of pathologies, and access is challenging. The ITF approach and its variations can be challenging due to complex anatomy and unfamiliarity by many surgeons.

Pterygopalatine-Infratemporal Fossa Hydatid Cyst Resembling Cystic Tumor.

Hydatid cyst is an endemic disease in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries, Eastern European countries, East Africa, China, New Zealand, Australia. We aimed to present this educational case, which is endemic in our country and seen in a very rare localization, with the combined surgical approach, within the literature.