The importance of the greater occipital nerve in the occipital and the suboccipital region for nerve blockade and surgical approaches - An anatomic study on cadavers

Objective: Greater occipital nerve (GUN) blockade is an effective method for treatment of occipital neuralgias. Occipital neuralgia or neuropraxis of this region may be seen particularly as a result of compression of the GUN. This study shows the relationship between the GUN and its external bone landmarks, in order to prevent complications and to perform nerve blockades safely. The study also defines the points where the GON pierces the semispinalis capitis (SSC) and the trapezius, and where the GUN passes the obliquus capitis inferior (OCI), and identifies bone landmarks for places where the GUN may be entrapped

Thoracic duct variations may complicate the anterior spine procedures

The aim of this study is to localize and document the anatomic features of the thoracic duct and its tributaries with special emphasis on the spinal surgery point of view. The thoracic ducts were dissected from nine formaldehyde-preserved male cadavers. The drainage patterns, diameter of the thoracic duct in upper, middle and lower thoracic segments, localization of main tributaries and morphologic features of cisterna chyli were determined. The thoracic duct was detected in all cadavers. The main tributaries were concentrated at upper thoracic (between third and fifth thoracic vertebrae) and lower thoracic segments (below the level of ninth thoracic vertebra) at the right side. However, the main lymphatic tributaries were drained into the thoracic duct only in the lower thoracic area (below the level of the tenth thoracic vertebra) at the left side. Two major anatomic variations were detected in the thoracic duct. In the first case, there were two different lymphatic drainage systems. In the second case, the thoracic duct was found as bifid at two different levels. In formaldehyde preservation, the dimensions of the soft tissues may change. For that reason, the dimensions were not discussed and they may not be a guide in surgery. Additionally, our study group is quite small. Larger series may be needed to define the anatomic variations. As a conclusion, anatomic variations of the thoracic duct are numerous and must be considered to avoid complications when doing surgery

Variations in the High Division of the Sciatic Nerve and Relationship Between the Sciatic Nerve and the Piriformis

OBJECTIVE: The sciatic nerve (SN) separates into its branches, the tibial and common fibular nerves, outside the pelvis. However, it may rarely be separated within the pelvis. In such cases, the tibial nerve and the common fibular nerve may leave the pelvis through different routes. These variations may cause nerve compressions under other anatomic structures, resulting in non-discogenic sciatica. The aim of this study was to define the level of the SN exit and of the SN division

Morphometric evaluation of the uncinate process and its importance in surgical approaches to the cervical spine: a cadaveric study

INTRODUCTION The uncinate process (UP) has an important role because of its relationship with the vertebral artery and spinal roots. Degenerative diseases cause osteophyte formation on the UP, leading to radiculopathy, myelopathy and vertebral vascular insufficiency, which may require surgical management. This study aimed to evaluate the morphometry of this region to shed light on the anatomy of the UP

Giant cardiac hydatid cyst in the interventricular septum protruding to right ventricular epicardium

Cardiac hydatid cyst is a rare condition, and the location of a hydatid cyst in the interventricular septum is exceptional. A 54-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with complaints of chest pain, shortness of breath and malaise. Transthoracic echocardiography defined a cystic mass lesion of 50 × 59 mm originating from apex of the heart protruding into and compressing the interventricular septum. The cyst was excised surgically and the patient was discharged on the 8th postoperative day without symptoms. In our case, localization of the cystic mass was within interventricular septum which is an uncommon site. It limited both ventricular volumes significantly. In addition, this cyst was extensively protruding to the right ventricular epicardium

Location and Incidence of the Zygomaticofacial Foramen: An Anatomic Study

The location and incidence of the zygomaticofacial foramen (ZFF) was studied in 80 dry skulls (160 sides) of unsexed adult skulls of West Anatolian people. The average distances from the ZFF to the frontozygomatic suture, to the zygomaticomaxillary suture, and to the inferior orbital rim were found to be 26.2 +/- 3.2 mm, 18.6 +/- 3.14 mm, and 5.94 +/- 1.43 mm, respectively. The zygomas were evaluated for the number of foramina on their facial aspects. There was none in 25 (15.6%), one in 71 (44,4%), two in 45 (28.1%), three in 10 (6.3%), four in seven (4.4%), and five in two (1.3%) sides. The ZFF was also studied for its distribution around the zygoma by dividing the surface into four anatomical areas. There was no statistical difference between the morphometrical results on both sides. Data regarding the location and variation in the number of the ZFF is important in avoiding zygomatic nerve and vessel injury during surgery, but by virtue of the great variability found, ZFF is an unreliable landmark for maxillofacial surgery. Clin. Anat. 22:559-562, 2009. (C) Wiely-Liss, Inc

The thickness and the lengths of the anterior wall of adult maxilla of the West Anatolian Turkish people

The maxilla is the key structure on facial formation and stability. The knowledge about maxillary thickness and dimensions is crucial during facial reconstruction including this bone. In this study, anthropometric measurements of anterior wall of the maxilla on the dry human skulls were aimed. Sixty maxillae of 30 adult dry skulls of West Anatolian people were evaluated. Four vertical lines were drawn between the piriform aperture and lateral border of the bone and six horizontal lines between the infra-orbital margin and the inferior border of the piriform aperture. After establishing the lines, maxillary thicknesses on the intersection points of the vertical and horizontal lines and the lengths of the vertical lines from the infra-orbital margin to alveolar arch were measured by using a fine caliper. It was found that the thickest point of the anterior wall of the maxillae is on the lateral of the infra-orbital margin (5.17 +/- 2.27 mm), and thinnest one is on the inferior of the infra-orbital foramen (0.92 +/- 1.06 mm). The length of the vertical line tangent to piriform aperture (47.66 +/- 3.61 mm) is the longest. The corresponding data of the left and right maxillae were compared by Student's t test. There was no significant difference between both sides. After collecting the data, a thickness map of anterior wall of the maxilla was drawn. This data may be helpful in clinic during osteotomies, bone reconstructions, screw, or other reconstruction apparatus applications on the maxilla

Thoracic duct variations may complicate the anterior spine procedures

The aim of this study is to localize and document the anatomic features of the thoracic duct and its tributaries with special emphasis on the spinal surgery point of view. The thoracic ducts were dissected from nine formaldehyde-preserved male cadavers. The drainage patterns, diameter of the thoracic duct in upper, middle and lower thoracic segments, localization of main tributaries and morphologic features of cisterna chyli were determined. The thoracic duct was detected in all cadavers. The main tributaries were concentrated at upper thoracic (between third and fifth thoracic vertebrae) and lower thoracic segments (below the level of ninth thoracic vertebra) at the right side. However, the main lymphatic tributaries were drained into the thoracic duct only in the lower thoracic area (below the level of the tenth thoracic vertebra) at the left side. Two major anatomic variations were detected in the thoracic duct. In the first case, there were two different lymphatic drainage systems. In the second case, the thoracic duct was found as bifid at two different levels. In formaldehyde preservation, the dimensions of the soft tissues may change. For that reason, the dimensions were not discussed and they may not be a guide in surgery. Additionally, our study group is quite small. Larger series may be needed to define the anatomic variations. As a conclusion, anatomic variations of the thoracic duct are numerous and must be considered to avoid complications when doing surgery