Moving toward the petroclival region: A model for quantitative and anatomical analysis of tumor shift

Object. The authors quantitatively assessed the effects of balloon inflation as a model of tumor compression on the brainstem, cranial nerves, and clivus by measuring the working area, angle of attack, and brain shift associated with the retrosigmoid approach. Methods. Six silicone-injected cadaveric heads were dissected bilaterally via the retrosigmoid approach. Quantitative data were generated, including key anatomical points on the skull base and brainstem. All parameters were measured before and after inflation of a balloon catheter (inflation volume 4.8 ml, diameter 20 mm) intended to mimic tumor compression. Results. Balloon inflation significantly shifted (p \u3c 0.001) the brainstem and cranial nerve foramina (mean [± standard deviation] displacement of upper brainstem, 10.2 ± 3.7 mm; trigeminal nerve exit, 6.99 ± 2.38 mm; facial nerve exit, 9.52 ± 4.13 mm; and lower brainstem, 13.63 ± 8.45 mm). The area of exposure at the petroclivus was significantly greater with balloon inflation than without (change, 316.26 ± 166.75 mm2; p \u3c 0.0001). Before and after balloon inflation, there was no significant difference in the angles of attack at the origin of the trigeminal nerve (p \u3e 0.5). Conclusions. This study adds an experimental component to the emerging field of quantitative neurosurgical anatomy. Balloon inflation can be used to model the effects of a mass lesion. The tumor simulation created natural retraction and an opening toward the upper clivus. The findings may be helpful in selecting a surgical approach to increase the working space for resection of certain extraaxial tumors

Supracerebellar Infratentorial Approach to Cavernous Malformations of the Brainstem: Surgical Variants and Clinical Experience With 45 Patients

Objective: The supracerebellar infratentorial (SCIT) approach can be performed at the midline (median variant), lateral to the midline (paramedian variant), or at the level of the angle formed by the transverse and sigmoid sinuses (extreme lateral variant). We analyzed our experience with SCIT approaches for the surgical treatment of cavernous malformations of the brainstem (CMBs). Methods: Demographic, clinical, radiologic, and surgical data from 45 patients (20 males and 25 females; mean age, 36.2 years) with CMBs surgically removed through SCIT approaches were reviewed retrospectively. Anatomic information was explored using cadaver head dissection. Results: Twenty-three lesions were in the midbrain, 3 were at the midbrain and extended to the thalamus, 9 were at the pontomesencephalic junction, and 10 were in the upper pons. All patients presented with hemorrhage. The median variant was used in 13 patients, the paramedian variant in 9, and the extreme lateral variant in 23. Intraoperatively, all CMBs were associated with a developmental venous anomaly. At last follow-up, 88% of the patients were the same or better. After a mean follow-up of 20 months, their mean Glasgow Outcome Scale score was 4.1. Conclusion: SCIT approaches provide excellent exposure to CMBs located at the posterior incisural space, not only in the midline but also in the posterolateral surface of the upper pons and midbrain. Careful preoperative planning and neuronavigational assistance are needed to determine the best angle of attack and trajectory for SCIT approaches. Refined microsurgical techniques are paramount to achieve safe surgical removal of CMBs with good outcomes. Copyright © 2010 by the Congress of Neurological Surgeons

The craniocaudal extension of posterolateral approaches and their combination: a quantitative anatomic and clinical analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe quantitatively the properties of the posterolateral approaches and their combination. METHODS: Six silicone-injected cadaveric heads were dissected bilaterally. Quantitative data were generated with the Optotrak 3020 system (Northern Digital, Waterloo, Canada) and Surgiscope (Elekta Instruments, Inc., Atlanta, GA), including key anatomic points on the skull base and brainstem. All parameters were measured after the basic retrosigmoid craniectomy and then after combination with a basic far-lateral extension. The clinical results of 20 patients who underwent a combined retrosigmoid and far-lateral approach were reviewed. RESULTS: The change in accessibility to the lower clivus was greatest after the far-lateral extension (mean change, 43.62 +/- 10.98 mm2; P = .001). Accessibility to the constant landmarks, Meckel\u27s cave, internal auditory meatus, and jugular foramen did not change significantly between the 2 approaches (P \u3e .05). The greatest change in accessibility to soft tissue between the 2 approaches was to the lower brainstem (mean change, 33.88 +/- 5.25 mm2; P = .0001). Total removal was achieved in 75% of the cases. The average postoperative Glasgow Outcome Scale score of patients who underwent the combined retrosigmoid and far-lateral approach improved significantly, compared with the preoperative scores. CONCLUSION: The combination of the far-lateral and simple retrosigmoid approaches significantly increases the petroclival working area and access to the cranial nerves. However, risk of injury to neurovascular structures and time needed to extend the craniotomy must be weighed against the increased working area and angles of attack